Can you tell which gun is real?
CARRYING replica weapons puts the public in real danger.
That is the message from Northern Constabulary which is reminding people that possession of BB guns, air weapons or replica guns in a public setting is an offence.
The warning comes following an incident earlier this week when a 15-year-old boy was reported to the authorities for allegedly causing the public fear and alarm by being in possession of a BB gun in a public place in Inverness.
Police have said that not only is it an offence to carry or brandish such weapons in public, but reports like this may result in the deployment of fully trained firearms officers.
Inspector Willie MacLennan, from the operational support unit, which oversees the force’s firearms unit, said: “Some of these weapons, particularly BB guns, look very real and a member of the public will quite rightly feel intimidated and alarmed if they see such weapons being carried in public places.

“The message is clear. We need people, especially parents, to understand the carrying of these weapons in a public place could result in a police firearms response and will most definitely lead to criminal charges being brought.”
Inspector MacLennan added: “People who carry such items are not thinking about the possible consequences of possessing what to all intents and purposes is something that looks like a real firearm.”