“Making guns appear as toys is a catastrophe waiting to happen,” said Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Central Islip), a former Police Officer. “When law enforcement Officers are confronted with a situation involving a weapon, a split second hesitation can lead to a very sad ending.” Por favor oprima aquí para ver esta columna en Español.

Ramos announced that he will co-sponsor legislation that would make it a felony for any individual, dealer or company to design or transform a gun to resemble a toy by concealing the original color or surface (A.2868).

A recent Newsday article profiled a paint company in Wisconsin by the name of Lauer, which has created a weaponry paint line called the “Bloomberg Collection.” That line of paint includes colors named after the five boroughs of New York City. The company has chosen Mayor Bloomberg as the inspiration due to his high profile regarding gun control issues.

The legislation will push to strengthen penalties against persons or companies, like Lauer, that produce products capable of making an actual gun appear as a toy. Under the bill, disguising a rifle, pistol, shotgun or machine gun or producing products intended to disguise guns would be punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.

“I am hopeful the NRA will show some common sense and support these measures,” Ramos said.