mangrumsNet

Been reading and hearing about more stories like these lately.  I have three different but related pieces that I'd like to post today.  Read the whole post by clicking the title or Read more... link at the bottom.

First up, Customs and ATF agents confiscate a shipment of airsoft guns because they didn't  have the orange tip and they "could be converted to a machine gun." WND also has an in depth aricle on this.  While I will agree that they do look very real, looking real does not equal being real.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rEuTwYALho&feature=player_embedded)

Next we have a recall of the GSG 5 with fake suppressor.  Again we have a situation where people are being told that it looks real and could be converted from a barrel shroud to a real suppressor.  A notification from ATI to their customers says in part

On January 2010 American Tactical Imports Inc received official notification from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives that the original barrel shroud (aka: fake suppressor) supplied with your GSG 5 SD model must be replaced. It has been determined that this shroud is regulated under the National Firearms Act. American Tactical will provide a replacement shroud at no charge for each GSG 5 SD model sold or currently in inventory.
Consumers in possession of a GSG 5 SD model with the original shroud in place on the firearm are now in violation of the NFA. To avoid continued violation of the NFA, ATI asks that all persons in possession obtain a replacement shroud as soon as possible. We anticipate arrival of the new shrouds to begin by the middle of February 2010.
IMPORTANT: THE ORIGINAL SD MODEL SHROUD MUST BE RETURNED ACOMPANIED BY THE FIREARM SERIAL NUMBER BEFORE A REPLACEMENT SHROUD IS ISSUED. THE DIAMETER OF THE SD SHROUD IS 1-9/16”. DO NOT RETURN THE SMALLER CARBINE SHROUD.
WHAT TO DO:
If possible return your old shroud to the dealer where purchased and show him this notice. The shroud will be returned to ATI along with a list of serial numbers from the guns that the shrouds were removed. ATI will send replacements to the dealer for pick up at your convenience; ATI will be sending replacements as fast as logistics allow. If your dealer is out of business or difficult to reach, or you purchased your gun used, from a consumer, return the shroud directly by US mail or UPS to American Tactical Imports Inc.

Of course the problem with this is that if the barrel shroud is indeed a Class III item and you return it to a dealer that it not licensed, you are in violation of the NFA.  Sheesh.

Finally, this story out of Michigan.  Fox News has this article about a 6 year old who made the bang bang gesture with his fingers:

A Michigan boy reportedly has been suspended from school for curling his hand into the shape of a gun and pointing it at another student.

Erin Jammer, said her son, Mason, was just playing around when he made the gesture Wednesday, the Grand Rapids Press reported.

"I do think it's harsh for a six-year-old. He's six and he just likes to play. Maybe what you could do is take his recess away. He's only six and he doesn't understand any of this," Erin Jammer said.

But officials at Jefferson Elementary School said the behavior made other students uncomfortable, and they suspended Mason for the remainder of the week, the paper reported.

School officials also told the paper that Mason had been warned repeatedly against pretending to aim his hand at students but continued the behavior over several months.

Jammer told the paper her son isn't violent and doesn’t have toy guns at home. She suggested a less harsh punishment, like taking Mason’s recess away, might be more effective in teaching him not to make a gun with his hand.

"He's only six and he doesn't understand any of this," she said.

Ugh.  It's all madness I tell you.  Suspended for playing like a kid; remember cowboys and indians growing up?  Just because you pretend a thing does not mean you will do a thing.  And being found in violation of a law because you might do something illegal in the future sounds like something out of Minority Report.  Basically it's like saying that all baseball bats should be confiscated because they might be used to beat somebody.