Hunter
07/12/24
Iowa City police are seeing an increase in calls about gel blasters-toy guns sold under brands like Orbeez and SplatRBall that shoot small gel balls.
The Gazette reports the gel guns have been growing in popularity for a few years, but online trends have increased their use in public, with young people recording themselves shooting on the street or from moving cars.
Iowa City municipal code currently does not prohibit the guns, although the ordinance states it’s illegal to carry or discharge a gun “out of or by which any leaden or other dangerous missiles may be discharged.”
Police chief Justin Liston is proposing a new ordinance that would prohibit the use of the gel guns, including throwing or shooting any projectiles in public spaces. Violators would be cited and fined $50. The ordinance would be similar to those in North Liberty and Coralville, where the gel guns are prohibited.
Liston said that the use of the gel guns has increased this year, with some users freezing the gel pellets before using them in order to cause more damage.
The newspaper says as of the June 4th city council meeting, Iowa City had 60 calls related to gel pellet guns, 30 of which happened in the previous two months.