Patch Readers Sound Off: Toy Guns and Air Soft Guns

Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies fatally shot a 13-year-old boy who was carrying a toy AK-47 on Tuesday, October 22, 2013.  On Friday there was a protest march in Santa Rosa attended by mostly teens.

In the wake of Andy Lopez Cruz's tragic death, we asked Patch readers on Facebook whether they allow their children to play with realistic-looking toy guns, and, if so, what precautions they take. 

Some readers criticized police, while others called the death tragic for all involved. Many readers noted that toy guns usually have an identifying orange tip, which Lopez's lacked.

Here are some of the comments we gathered from Patch Facebook pages.

Monica L. Rosenberg wrote on Pleasanton Patch’s Facebook page, “So sad he lost his life. Prayers for the family and officers involved. Playing with 'toy' guns should be supervised by an adult at all times and should NEVER be carried around or played with on public streets; especially during these gun crazy days the world is experiencing on a regularly frequent basis. ....wondering why the boy didn't listen when told to put it down?? A question that might never be answered...sad.sad.sad.”

Thomas Painter wrote, “Why would they shoot if he hadn't fired a shot or demonstrated aggressive behavior? Even the military can't shoot first in non-combat situations.”

Paula Fluker, writing on the Dublin Patch Facebook page said, “Very sad and tragic. No way! Those things should be banned for just this reason.

Martin Cross outlined his gun rules on the Livermore Patch Facebook page.  Cross wrote, ”First off this is a sad incident, I feel for everyone involved in any way. My 11 year old is allowed to play with nerf guns quite liberally. He also has an airsoft gun that is realistic in not only looks but also operation. He is only allowed to use it in the back yard against targets I made that will stop the plastic bb's from leaving the yard. He's only allowed to use it when I'm home, as it's locked up in my safe, and all the rules for a real gun are to be applied at all times when it's in his hands. He has to verbally recite the firearms safety rules to me, as well as physically show me such things as" finger off trigger until ready to fire". He also has to show me a 3 step safety check to be sure the airsoft gun is unloaded prior to leaving the back yard (coming inside when he's done) with it. He already knows everything I've taught him translates to the real world firing ranges etc., He also knows all of this is necessary because of incidents exactly like this one. I will be sitting down with him today or tomorrow so I can talk to him about this incident.”

“No to any guns in my house,” wrote Sharon Cabral on the San Ramon Facebook page.

Do you agree with the comments?  Tell us your opinion in the comments and take our poll that is open to all Bay Area Patch readers.