LANCASHIRE police are warning people about the dangers of buying imitation firearms or air weapons as Christmas presents.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced a number of new offences in relation to imitation firearms and air weapons which can be arrestable and imprisonable.
Anything that has the appearance of being a firearm cannot be carried in a public place without a reasonable excuse. This would include firearm shaped cigarette lighters and BB guns.
The legal age to own an air weapon was raised from 14 years old to 17 years old and it is a criminal offence to give an air weapon to anyone under the age of 17 years old.
These offences all carry fines of up to £1,000.
Chief Inspector Val Prince said: "The misuse of imitation firearms can cause serious alarm and fear, especially in a public place.
"This sort of behaviour will attract a police response by armed police officers.
"We have to treat all calls and sightings of weapons as a real potential threat until we can determine otherwise.
"Our officers are highly trained but it is often very difficult to tell a real weapon apart from an imitation weapon."
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