This evil little “innovation” reappears every so often — I first wrote about it back in 2009 — and while I cannot tell if this is exactly the same gun I’d been tipped off to more than two years ago, it is most certainly the same idea.
These images appear to have been distributed by a large agency in the Midwest — I have not been able to independently verify the original source, but several email pen pals have name-dropped the same agency (my efforts to connect with a PIO at that PD have not been successful).
Nonetheless, given the fact that a dozen or more of my email pen pals out there have each emailed me versions of these images in the past week or so, I’ve decided it’s as good a time as any to post a reminder. Check out these images (below and left) — and let’s have a little more discussion on the subject.
Tactical response to toy guns
There is no single, absolute answer to the question of your tactical response to toy guns. However, basic range safety rules dictate that we “treat all guns as if they’re loaded.” An extension of that thinking seems to me to be somewhat logical: Treat all guns — even if they look like a toy — as if they’re real.
By no means am I saying officers need to be wandering around in Condition Red all the time — absolutely, positively, most definitely DO NOT DO THAT. Just be aware that this sort of threat is out there, and that there are others like it.
Not only do we have this super-soaker monster out there in bad-guy land, we also know that some violators are painting the tips of their firearms barrels in that “International Orange” color we see on Airsoft guns and other toys.
Even more insidious, we’ve seen instances in which people are painting perfectly functional firearms in multi-color Duracoat — complete with “Hello Kitty” stickers and other childlike designs so that these guns look as “harmless” as anything you’d find at a toy store.
They’re doing this to create just enough of a hesitation in you that they gain the advantage.
Remember, it’s the totality of the circumstances that ultimately dictates what an officer will do when he or she encounters what may be a harmless child with a toy, or what may be a dangerous suspect bent on taking the life of a cop.
Paraphrasing and expanding upon some of the thoughts my good friend VON1 shared in the comments area of that original tip back in 2009, consider this:
- First and foremost, is the subject complying with your commands? We all know what non-compliance is, and what it frequently means. Enough said on that one, correct?
- What brought you to this scene in the first place? If this was “unknown trouble,” you’ve got what you’ve got. But knowing the call was armed robbery might influence things.
- Did the subject muzzle you or someone else at any point? For that matter, are we dealing with someone (a little boy) who would be predisposed to “playing” with a toy?
- What does the subject’s facial expression tell you? Gritted teeth? Flushed complexion?
- What does the body language tell you? Bladed feet? Target glances? Escape glances?
When you come into contact with someone who has a toy gun, there are only a few things you can do, and each of them may end up being tragically incorrect if in that split-second you’re not completely focused on the superior tactical training you’ve received.
