From Deseret News archives:
Man arrested after police say he pointed air pistol at officer
Just after 11 p.m., an officer stopped at a light at the intersection of 300 South and 300 East, looked out his window and saw a man pointing a gun at him, said Salt Lake police spokeswoman Lara Jones. The officer, believing that the man was about to open fire on him, drove his patrol car near the suspect, positioning the vehicle between himself and the gunman for protection, Jones said.
The officer drew his own weapon and ordered the suspect, who had now put his pistol in his waistband, to get on the ground, she said.
The man threw his pistol to the ground and was arrested. It was only after the man was in custody that investigators discovered the pistol was actually an airsoft gun. But at that time of night, Jones said the gun looked real to the officer.
"Officers have to make snap judgments. These guns look very, very real. You protect yourself first and whoever may be around you," she said.
When someone points a gun at an officer and that officer believes their life is in danger, Jones said the officer could have easily opened fire on the man.
"You run the risk of getting shot," she said.
Airsoft guns have become issues of debate for some cities recently that have considered banning the toy weapons because of how real they look. In Weber County and some of its cities, certain toy guns have already been prohibited. Some have argued that police responding to a call shouldn't have to worry if the gun a person is holding is fake or real.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com
Recent comments
I am considering suing for defamation of character. just thought i'd...
Anonymous | Sept. 24, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
... and yet, this article fails to mention he was at a western-themed...
oh sensationalism, | Sept. 12, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
My poor friend... a harmless night under the influence gone wrong, no...
some beast | Sept. 11, 2008 at 10:57 p.m.
- NBA notes: Warriors trade Jackson 10:18 p.m.
- People briefs 10:17 p.m.
- Birthdays for Tuesday, Nov. 17 10:16 p.m.
- The number: Whistling at work 10:15 p.m.
- Candy Cane Corner readies for season 10:05 p.m.
- Payson home invasion, stabbing case 9:58 p.m.
- Cougars ready for Bengals 9:55 p.m.
- Big Macs changing shape of America 9:53 p.m.
- Low in vit. D? Beware heart disease 9:51 p.m.
- Connecticut beats Colgate in NIT 9:51 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Barzee is expected to plead guilty
- Sloan misses practice
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Low in vit. D? Beware heart disease
- Jazz notes: Young bigs ride bench
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
226 - Will state consider gay rights law?
162 - RSL heads to MLS title game
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
132 - MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
117 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
115 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
108 - Bennett at center of GOP storm
89
The Gateway, 400 W. 200 South, will kick off the holiday shopping season...
I was a bit under the weather last week, which gave me some time to...
Cleverly written letter. Thanks!
. . . when you promised the voters you would never become a career...
Except Vitamin D in cows milk is added. And cows milk is for baby cows, not...
Who are the owners of this restaurant? They should be named in the story.
Oh yeah, let's put this guy in the same category as Rosa Parks and other...
To: Everyone of you(except Abe Lincoln 4:56) Why are all of you calling this...
I went to watch the NFL match at Wembley stadium a couple of moths ago to see...
Have some respect and back off....everybody knows what he did was wrong and...
we have players with pace that can run wide and attack the Galaxy, and they...
I'm glad some people can recognize who some of the real players are. Linemen...
