SA Police (SAPOL) are reminding the community that they should take a common sense approach when carrying gel blasters in public, given a number of incidents in recent weeks where the 'toys' have been mistaken for real weapons.
Gel or hydro blasters – used in skirmish games similar to paintball – have been growing in popularity which in turn has seen the items coming to the attention of SA Police.
Coming in different styles, colours and sizes, they are legal to sell, purchase and possess in South Australian and are available from numerous retailers and online sales websites.
The gel pod is fired by the use of an internal spring mechanism after being soaked in water to expand it in size.
Under the current Firearms Act, these items are not classified as a firearm, or a replica firearm, or an imitation firearm, however they can be very realistic and can easily be mistaken for a real weapon.
SAPOL recently issued an information circular about gel blasters to all staff.
It noted that a presumption should not be made that any incident involved a gel blaster, and that "appropriate precautions and actions as the circumstances require, including treating any items as a real firearm and treating it in a safe manner".
Superintendent Steve Howard, the officer in charge of the Firearms Branch, said that although the items are legal, police would still consider each incident on the full circumstances which could see individuals charged with a range of offences including assault, making unlawful threats, or creating false belief.
"We urge the community to use common sense around possessing these items in public to ensure they don't create fear or a false belief," he said.
"Police take all reports of firearms in public and our responsibility to ensure the safety of the community very seriously."
