Crime & Safety
Nutley Cops Keep Warning About Gel Blaster Guns, Orbeez
Nutley Public Safety Officials: "We are experiencing a problem with children shooting gel blaster guns."
NUTLEY, NJ — Nutley police continue to warn residents about the misuse of “gel blaster guns,” including Orbeez pellets, which have been linked to a nationwide TikTok trend.
The Nutley Police Department released the following advisory on April 18:
“Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo are advising residents that we are experiencing a problem with children shooting gel blaster guns. Chief Strumolo said these guns are plastic, but work similar to paintball guns. The guns are battery-operated and can shoot gel-like projectiles 90 feet per second over 100 feet. Although classified as a toy, police have responded to numerous calls in which motor vehicles were struck with projectiles while driving. The pellets themselves are eco-friendly and non-toxic, however, they can still cause eye injury. More importantly, a motorist that may become startled and become involved in a motor vehicle accident.”
Petracco said that parents who purchase or allow their children to play with these guns should explain the dangers associated with shooting at homes or passing motorists.
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Although children may not know better, throwing or shooting anything at a person is a chargeable offense, he said.
- See related article: Nutley Juveniles Fired 'Gel-Like Balls' From Toy Gun At Car, Police Say
Nutley police said two recent incidents involving gel blaster guns were reported in the township:
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April 14 (Franklin Ave. at Stager) – “Police observed a group of juveniles in the area in possession of gel blaster guns … These guns, although legal, are presenting police with several complaints of victims becoming startled.”
April 18 (Bloomfield Ave.) – “A mother reported an incident in which juveniles were shooting [gel ball guns] near basketball courts. The juveniles reportedly have been freezing the gel balls.”
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