How replica guns are getting Americans killed

In 2023 , more than 12 million BB and pellet guns were bought in the U.S. Many have roughly the same weight, markings and finishes as real guns.

But these look-alike replica guns aren't federally required to have any clear indicators that they don't shoot bullets.

In most states they are available for adults to purchase without background checks or restrictions.

Since 2014 , at least 320 people have been shot and killed by police while holding replica guns.

Three minors have been killed by police in Utica , New York , while holding replica guns.

Police Chief Mark Williams says he holds the manufacturers partially responsible for Mway 's death.

Giffords Law Center : "They know that these guns can be mistaken for real guns. So the industry knows these can be dangerous in this particular way".

Some lawmakers have been trying to make BB and BB guns harder to access and harder to mistake for the real thing.

The National Rifle Association fought back, claiming that because some real guns are now made with colorful materials, police would confuse the real colorful guns with the colorful BB and pellet guns.

In 2014 , New York state mandated all pellet and BBs sold in the state to be made of translucent materials or have entirely neon colored bodies.