DuPage County Sheriff Warns of Deadly Explosive Devices & “Spud Guns”

With the Fourth of July fast approaching Sheriff Zaruba wants to remind residents of how fun can be turned to tragedy when you risk everything by using illegal fireworks. Every year thousands of people are treated in hospitals for injuries for the use of illegal or homemade fireworks and dangerous explosive devices.

“Spud Guns”

They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations, and they are often made by kids from materials in their parent’s garage. Known as “Spud Gun’s,” “Potato Cannon’s,” “Potato Gun’s,” or “Tatter Cannon’s,” while they may have many different names, they all have the same objective; to launch a projectile as far into the air as possible, and Sheriff John Zaruba is warning residents about the dangers of the use of these homemade guns/cannons, both in the ignition of the device and the landing point of the spud. With the annual warnings regarding fireworks and the dangers they cause, Sheriff Zaruba wants citizens to be aware of this potentially dangerous activity that may be occurring in your own or your neighbor’s backyard.

“These are firearms and they are dangerous. Not only can they cause property damage, but they also can cause bodily injury or even death,” Sheriff Zaruba said. “While possession of these homemade guns is not considered illegal for those who hold a valid FOID card by the statute 430 ILCS 65/1.1 of the Illinois Criminal Code, their misuse certainly is and in some towns and villages they may have a city ordinance against their use,” he continued.

“Parents need to know of the dangers of these devices and the potential harm they may cause, especially their use/misuse in a residential neighborhood or at a gathering of spectators. Once you fire the weapon, there is absolutely no way of knowing where the projectile will land, who it may hit, or what kind of damage or destruction it will cause.” Sheriff Zaruba said.

The Sheriff will be meeting with State Representatives to find the best way to legislatively prevent the misuse of devices of this nature. “I am not trying to regulate fun, my only purpose is to educate parents and prevent disastrous consequences,” he said.