Arlington Hts, youth commissioner seeks safe place for pellet gun use
The newest member of the Arlington Heights Youth Commission wants a safe place for young people to be able to use realistic-looking guns that shoot plastic pellets.
Andy Walker, 14, who will attend Buffalo Grove High School in the fall, said that, otherwise, the so-called airsoft guns should be restricted to private property.
He discussed his concerns about the guns with village board members when they recently approved his appointment to the commission.
His first choice would be a park designated for youths to have "wars," similar to the idea of a skate board park. Alternatively, the guns should be allowed only in places like backyards, he said.
"I don't think they should be outlawed at all," Walker said in an interview. "The problem is, except for the orange tip, they look exactly like real guns."
The guns come in versions from pistols to rifles to machine guns. Apparently, some users black out the orange tip or even remove it.
Walker, the son of Bobbi and John Walker, has witnessed citizens call the police when groups of youngsters have "wars" in public places.
People can be alarmed when they see young people in parks with what look like guns, said Police Chief Gerald Mourning.
And, of course, the most serious danger is that an officer can't differentiate whether a gun poses a real threat, said police Commander William L. Newman, Jr.
Walker is also concerned that youths' eyes can be injured by the pellets, although he said most participants wear safety goggles.
He thinks his friends realize something needs to be done about the pretend weapons.
Mayor Arlene Mulder asked Walker to join the commission after he accompanied her for a week as the "student mayor," part of a program at Thomas Middle School.
The young football player said he learned leadership skills from Mulder that should help him in business - if he doesn't decide to seek a career in politics or public service.
High school members of the commission serve one-year terms.