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Police Look To Toughen BB-Gun Laws
Tuesday January 28, 2003 4:54pm Reporter: Diane Harrigan
Tulsa - BB-gun vandals strike again and Tulsa city leaders say enough is enough. Tougher laws could soon be on the books.
Vandals have targeted nearly five hundred windows since November, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. This uproar is catching the ear of the city council.
Less than 24 hours after workers installed a brand new glass at renovated Rudisill Library, vandals shot out another five.
Since November, 448 windows across Tulsa have been targeted by air rifle vandals, and it's not just in one part of the city. Brookside, 31st and Mingo, Third and Peoria, and all along 11th street are just some of the areas targeted.
Now, at the request of police, city leaders are proposing change.
"What we're trying to address is unacceptable conduct in whoever thinks this is a fun thing to be doing," says City Councilman Thomas Baker.
On the table is an ordinance to make it illegal to transport a loaded air rifle in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. Police believe the vandals fire their weapons as they drive by.
Unlike guns, you don't have to register to buy an air rifle. It could be a bb-gun or a pellet gun. What's supposed to be used for sport is being used to destroy property and even those who sell them are appalled.
"It's like any vandalism," says Eric Johnson, Assistant Manager at Second Hand Rose. "It's useless, it's harmful and no good reason for it."
It's costing local businesses. And, with a library being the latest target, the three-thousand dollar bill is expected to cost taxpayers.
"Some insurance company will cover it and that's going to mean higher rates for everybody, so yeah, everybody suffers when insurance rates go up," says Richard Parker, Assistant Director of the Tulsa City-County Library.
The City Council will take up the ordinance on Thursday. It would also make it illegal to shoot slingshots within city limits. Police say without the ordinance, right now they can really only go after the culprits if they catch them in the act.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0103/71681.html
Tuesday January 28, 2003 4:54pm Reporter: Diane Harrigan
Tulsa - BB-gun vandals strike again and Tulsa city leaders say enough is enough. Tougher laws could soon be on the books.
Vandals have targeted nearly five hundred windows since November, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. This uproar is catching the ear of the city council.
Less than 24 hours after workers installed a brand new glass at renovated Rudisill Library, vandals shot out another five.
Since November, 448 windows across Tulsa have been targeted by air rifle vandals, and it's not just in one part of the city. Brookside, 31st and Mingo, Third and Peoria, and all along 11th street are just some of the areas targeted.
Now, at the request of police, city leaders are proposing change.
"What we're trying to address is unacceptable conduct in whoever thinks this is a fun thing to be doing," says City Councilman Thomas Baker.
On the table is an ordinance to make it illegal to transport a loaded air rifle in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. Police believe the vandals fire their weapons as they drive by.
Unlike guns, you don't have to register to buy an air rifle. It could be a bb-gun or a pellet gun. What's supposed to be used for sport is being used to destroy property and even those who sell them are appalled.
"It's like any vandalism," says Eric Johnson, Assistant Manager at Second Hand Rose. "It's useless, it's harmful and no good reason for it."
It's costing local businesses. And, with a library being the latest target, the three-thousand dollar bill is expected to cost taxpayers.
"Some insurance company will cover it and that's going to mean higher rates for everybody, so yeah, everybody suffers when insurance rates go up," says Richard Parker, Assistant Director of the Tulsa City-County Library.
The City Council will take up the ordinance on Thursday. It would also make it illegal to shoot slingshots within city limits. Police say without the ordinance, right now they can really only go after the culprits if they catch them in the act.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0103/71681.html
