How Many Cities Have Moved to Ban or Limit Gel Blaster Use?

In recent years, a growing number of cities across the world have moved to ban or impose strict limits on the sale, possession, and use of gel blasters. But just how many cities have put restrictions on these popular toy weapons, and what’s behind this rising trend?

With their colorful, toy-like designs and ability to harmlessly fire water-filled gel beads, gel blasters exploded in popularity as a recreational outdoor sport and backyard pastime. However, as gel blaster usage surged, so too did public unease, outcry over misuse, and ultimately, legislative crackdowns seeking to regulate or prohibit these controversial toy guns.

Why Have Cities Started Banning and Restricting Gel Blasters?

Gel blaster bans and restrictions have largely been driven by three key concerns:

Public Safety

The core argument behind gel blaster bans is that these devices pose threats to public safety. Firing hard gel balls at high speeds, people worry that gel blasters could injure eyes or skin if used improperly. Police point to a growing number of gel blaster injuries requiring hospital treatment. There are also fears that the public or police could mistake a gel blaster for a real gun, prompting potentially dangerous confusion.

Misuse by Criminals

High-profile examples of criminals using gel blasters to intimidate victims, commit armed robberies, or pretend to be police have raised alarm bells. Gel blasters provide an easy alternative to real firearms for criminals seeking to cause fear and intimidation. Their availability has been blamed for emboldening offenders and putting innocent people at risk.

Resemblance to Real Guns

A key factor underlying public unease and criminal misuse is that many gel blasters strongly resemble actual firearms. Features like rifle shapes, pistol grips, and metal components make them nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. This causes confusion and concern that gel blasters normalize or glorify gun violence, especially among impressionable young people.

Hotspots Leading the Charge on Gel Blaster Bans

Australia

Australia has been at the forefront of efforts to ban gel blasters, with at least 9 major cities or territories introducing outright bans:

• Perth – In July 2020, Perth became the first city in Australia to prohibit the sale, possession, and use of gel blasters in public spaces. Offenders face fines up to $5,000.
• Brisbane – Brisbane followed in September 2020 with a city-wide ban on gel blasters, citing growing safety fears.
• Adelaide – In response to a spate of armed robberies, Adelaide banned gel blasters in December 2020.
• Victoria – In June 2021, Victoria banned gel blasters across the whole state, including cities like Melbourne.
• New South Wales – NSW followed Victoria in banning gel blasters in September 2021.
• ACT – The Australian Capital Territory implemented a gel blaster ban in September 2021.
• Northern Territory – In November 2021, the Northern Territory announced a total ban on gel blasters.
• Queensland – Queensland followed most other states in banning gel blasters across the state in June 2022.
• Tasmania – Tasmania banned the sale, possession, and use of gel blasters in November 2022.

United States

Compared to blanket country-wide bans in Australia, restrictions on gel blasters in the U.S. have been more localized and limited:

• Los Angeles – In 2022, Los Angeles prohibited gel blasters capable of shooting projectiles faster than 100 feet per second.
• New York City – NYC banned gel blasters firing pellets faster than 50 feet per second in November 2022.
• Chicago – Under a long-standing ordinance, Chicago bans airsoft guns, which likely encompasses many gel blaster designs.
• Philadelphia – Philadelphia prohibits the possession or sale of any replica firearm.
• New Jersey – New Jersey requires gel blasters to have an orange muzzle and bans their use by those under 18.

Canada

• Vancouver – Sale of realistic-looking gel blasters is banned in Vancouver.
• Alberta – Municipalities across Alberta have introduced various restrictions on gel blaster usage and public display.

Other Bans and Restrictions

• Germany – Gel blasters are essentially banned in Germany under rules prohibiting firearm replicas.
• New Zealand – Import and sale of gel blasters is prohibited in New Zealand.
• Denmark – Gel blasters cannot be sold to anyone under 18 in Denmark.

The Murky Legal Situation in America

Unlike the national bans in Australia, regulation of gel blasters in the United States is fragmented and complex. Some states like California and New Jersey have instituted blanket rules, such as requiring brightly colored muzzles. But in most places, legality depends on highly technical factors like projectile velocity, muzzle energy, and resemblance to real firearms.

With no overarching federal laws on gel blasters, states and cities have introduced a confusing patchwork of local ordinances restricting certain types of gel blasters. However, total bans remain rare compared to Australia due to stronger protections for replica toy guns under the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment.

This legal uncertainty has stymied the gel blaster market in America and left manufacturers and retailers unsure of how to comply across thousands of jurisdictions. Efforts to entirely prohibit gel blasters have also faced backlash from owners arguing that “blaster” sports provide a safe, supervised outlet for gun enthusiasts.

Do Gel Blaster Bans Really Improve Public Safety?

Behind gel blaster bans lies the fundamental premise that restricting access to these devices enhances public security and reduces harm. But some experts question whether bans are truly effective:

• Targeting legal owners – Critics point out that bans predominantly impact legal gel blaster owners, not criminals. Those intent on misusing replica weapons may continue to access them illegally.
• Displacement to more dangerous options – With gel blasters unavailable, criminals may simply shift to more lethal weapons like knives or actual firearms.
• Loss of regulated supervision – Bans force blaster sports underground, removing supervision that ensures safe, controlled gel blaster use.
• Difficult enforcement – Police have struggled to stop illegal importation and street sales of banned gel blasters, especially with minimal penalties. Cheap prices also limit the deterrent effect.
• Fueling black markets – Prohibition has driven boomling underground markets for illegal, unregulated gel blaster sales.

More data and research is still needed on gel blaster dangers and the impacts of bans. But current evidence remains inconclusive on whether broad prohibitions deliver meaningful improvements to community safety.

The Continuing Controversy and Debate

Gel blaster bans remain divisive, sparking heated debate between supporters and opponents:

Ban Supporters Argue:

• Gel blasters can cause injury, especially to eyes and skin.
• Criminals regularly misuse gel blasters for robberies, intimidation, and impersonation.
• Replica firearms normalize and glorify gun violence.
• Broad bans are needed to protect public safety.

Ban Opponents Counter:

• Injuries are rare with safe supervised use. Bans punish responsible owners.
• Criminals will substitute other weapons when gel blasters are unavailable.
• Heavily restricting toy guns is an overreaction that exceeds danger posed.
• Bans are hard to enforce and, paradoxically, drive black market gel blaster trade.

With gel blaster usage entrenched globally, yet security concerns remaining, the search continues for balanced regulations that allow for safe, controlled enjoyment of blaster sports without jeopardizing community wellbeing. As more cities introduce restrictions, the policy landscape promises to remain in flux for the foreseeable future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gel Blaster Bans

Are gel blasters completely illegal in the United States?

No, there is no federal U.S. law completely prohibiting gel blasters. However, several states and cities have banned certain types of gel blasters or imposed restrictions on their sale, use, and possession. Overall regulation remains fragmented and uneven across America.

What cities in California ban gel blasters?

Some California cities with total or partial gel blaster bans include Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego and Oakland. However, laws are rapidly evolving. Check your local city and county ordinances for the latest regulations. Statewide, gel blasters are only prohibited if they exceed California’s strict imitation firearm laws.

Could gel blasters become totally banned in America?

It’s unlikely the U.S. would follow Australia’s model of nationwide gel blaster prohibition. Constitutional protections for replica guns and state-level policy mean a federal ban faces major legal and political barriers. However, if public pressure mounts due to safety concerns, more localized gel blaster restrictions in major cities and states could materialize.

Do gel blaster bans reduce crime?

The impacts of bans on wider criminal activity remain uncertain. Advocates argue restrictions make it harder for criminals to access replica weapons. But skeptics point out that determined offenders can still obtain gel blasters illegally or substitute other dangerous weapons in their absence. More research is needed to conclusively determine if bans deter crime.

What are the punishments if you break gel blaster laws?

Penalties for possessing banned gel blasters vary between jurisdictions but often include heavy fines up to thousands of dollars. Repeated or serious offenses may also incur possible jail time. For example, South Australia imposes fines up to $20,000 and 2 years imprisonment for illegal possession and use of gel blasters.