Police Seek Steeper Penalties For 'Replica' 9MM Handguns After Arrest

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — An 18-year-old male was arrested in Southampton after he pointed a "gun" at someone at a residence, police said.

According to Southampton Village Police, the male was arrested on North Sea Road on Monday at 8:50 p.m. and charged with second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor.

Police said the received a 911 call at 5:34 p.m. from a resident who said two males in a dark-colored CRV backed into his driveway, pointed a gun at him, and drove away, heading east on Hill Street.

Responding officers canvassed the area and, with the Southampton Village Police Department's ability to utilize its "Vigilant” camera and license plate reader technology, were able to identify the vehicle in question, police said.

A short time later, police spotted the vehicle reported in the incident; upon further investigation, the 18-year-old was arrested, and a replica 9mm BB handgun was recovered, police said.

He was taken into custody without incident, processed and released on an appearance ticket, police said.

The incident marks the second time in the last six weeks that police have encountered and arrested a person threatening people with a replica 9mm handgun, authorities said.

"These types of incidents pose a tremendous threat to the safety of police officers, the general public, and the person displaying these weapons," police said. "Law enforcement will be working with the Suffolk County District Attorneys’ Office to secure the maximum punishment for these crimes."