ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Arlington Police Department is doubling down on its recent push for legislation regulating imitation firearms following an officer-involved shooting at the Parks Mall.
Investigators said an officer shot a theft suspect, identified as 21-year-old William Dodd, a convicted felon, after he allegedly pointed a B.B. gun at the officer following a chase.
The department’s Chris Cook said it’s too difficult for an officer to differentiate a real versus a fake gun during a pursuit.
“There’s just no training in the world that will afford an officer the ability to distinguish what is real and what is fake in the heat of the moment,” he said.
Officers have said they would like manufacturers to consider differentiating the weapons themselves.
“If the manufacturers don’t want to change the business model as far as the way they look then we want to look at legislative efforts,” he said.
The department said it has dealt with similar instances before and are working to find a resolution.
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