The Stevens Point Police Department is asking parents to keep an extra eye on their children, when they're using BB guns. On Aug 30th, Stevens Point Officers responded to a call of vehicles being shot at by a BB Gun in a neighborhood within the City.

Patrol Officers investigating the incident identified that three teenage males reportedly were shooting at vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and buildings in the neighborhood they reside.

"The caller said he knew it was a BB gun. But the consequences could have been a lot worse if it had been a night time call and they weren't sure of it,and they saw the juveniles walking around with the hand gun," explained Sgt. John Moss from the Stevens Point Police Dept.

Sgt. Moss said it's becoming a nightmare for officers who are trying to tell the difference between a BB gun and a real gun. He also said usually air-soft guns have an orange tip and you can tell that it's a toy, but the new BB guns don't.

Several incidents exist nationwide of officer involved shootings that resulted from an individual displaying a toy or BB gun. One resident said its terrifying to know kids are walking around the area with these guns, because they can be potentially dangerous if misused.

"People think BB guns are harmless but some of the more powerful ones ,they shoot metal pellets. No one wants a gun or gun like object pointed at them," said Stevens Point resident Mike O'Donell.

Currently Wisconsin'S BB gun law states:

It is legal to fire or discharge a BB gun on private property by anyone 16 or old, or under the direct personal supervision of a parent or guardian. However it is illegal to possess or carry a BB gun on school property.

"If you're going to have them for your kids, that's fine but make sure they are properly supervised and you know the children are practicing safe handling of the gun--obviously not shooting in the city limits because it is an ordinance violation," said Sgt. Moss.

The consequences for violating an ordinance are not the same in every city, but depending on the circumstances you could be issued a citation or charged with a criminal offense.