Hopkins Fast-Tracks Airsoft Ban

A proposal to ban Airsoft guns in public is headed straight for approval—bypassing the typical work session where new ordinances are subject to further discussion.

The city opted to forgo a work session after council members said they had no concerns with the proposed ordinance, City Manager Mike Mornson said.

The measure will go before the council at Tuesday’s meeting. Since it requires two readings, council members will have a chance to look at the measure once more if they have any further questions after that discussion.

asked for a ban on Airsoft guns in public following two incidents where Airsoft guns were nearly mistaken for real guns. Police pulled guns on residents carrying Airsoft guns and worry that either they will shoot someone with an Airsoft gun—or an officer will be shot after mistaking a real gun for an Airsoft gun.

"We have to get people to realize how close they came to a tragic situation," Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg told the Star Tribune. "These decisions are made in split seconds."

Airsoft guns are replica firearms that fire plastic pellets using compressed air or springs. Unlike real weapons, the muzzle tips are often painted bright orange. But these can be hard to see and the paint can wear off—or be painted over.

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