Boston Bans Replica Guns in Public Spaces

Photo Credit: City of Boston

Mayor Marty Walsh signed an ordinance banning replica handguns in public spaces throughout the City of Boston Monday morning. Regulations will take effect immediately. The goal of the legislation is to make residents aware of the danger of replica handguns and increase the dialogue about the consequences of replica handguns with Boston’s young people.

“It is up to us to work together as a community on every angle of the gun issue to keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Mayor Walsh. “The safety of Boston’s residents and visitors is a top priority, and I am proud to sign this ordinance banning replica handguns in public spaces which will help us in our larger mission of raising community awareness and engagement to remove replica firearms from the hands of our youth.”

To date, the Boston Police Department has recovered over 150 replica handguns in connection with crimes. Given the authentic look of many of the replica handguns on the streets, residents and even police officers have a difficult time determining what is a real firearm versus an imitation firearm.

“Replica guns have become a big issue for us. We all too often encounter young people who are carrying these fake guns and even though they are fake, the public and police don’t know they are,” said Commissioner William B. Evans. “Our goal is to make the city the safest place it can be and this ordinance will help remind the public and residents of the dangers these replica guns present.”

The ordinance will allow BPD to confiscate replica firearms and require the owner to pick up the confiscated replica firearm in person at the district station. If a replica handgun is confiscated from someone under the age of 18, BPD will notify the parent or guardian that the minor was found with a replica handgun in a public space, and the parent or guardian will have the option to retrieve the replica firearm. BPD will not release a replica handgun directly to the minor.

“Mayor Walsh deserves tremendous credit for his leadership on the issue of replica firearms. He is absolutely correct that these imitation guns endanger both our City’s young people and our police officers and have no place at all in public spaces,” said State Representative Dan Cullinane, who has filed legislation on replica guns at the State House.