Regulating the Manufacture and Sale of BB and Air Pellet Guns

WHEREAS, BB guns and Air Pellet guns have been used to commit acts of violence throughout the United States and especially in poor and minority communities causing great harm and injury; and

WHEREAS, BB guns and Air Pellet guns have been manufactured to appear identical to real firearms and utilized in the commission of crimes; and

WHEREAS, individuals have been stopped, detained, arrested and killed by law-enforcement authorities in our communities when having said indistinguishable guns in their possession.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urges passage of legislation to require BB and Air Pellet gun manufacturers to create design models which would allow for these guns to be readily identifiable and distinguishable from more deadly firearms; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon all states and territories of the United States to regulate the sale of such BB and Air Pellet guns, in retail stores or gun shows, which would include restricting the sales to any person under the age of 18 years old, requiring a parent or guardian to be present and sign a certificate of ownership and responsibility for their usage, and requiring listing of names and ages of intended users and agreement to complete comprehensive training and certification through a licensed gun safety provider in the use of said guns for all individuals under the age of eighteen.