MN Lawmakers Push To Ban Gun-Shaped Phone Cases
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Cellphone cases that look like guns are being called dumb, dangerous and disasters waiting to happen.
On Friday, two Minnesota lawmakers announced legislation to ban the cellphone cases.
Representatives Joe Atkins and Dan Schoen will introduce their proposal to fellow lawmakers next spring.
In the meantime, they're asking local retailers not to make or sell the cases.
The gun-shaped cellphone cases do not have the orange markings on the end of the barrels, which are required by federal law to show they are not real guns and are harmless. Officials said the cases are made by foreign manufacturers and most appear to be imported from Asia.
Schoen, a Cottage Grove police officer, said cops shouldn't have to worry about this added danger on the street.
"Until you stand in the room with one of your work partners who has shot somebody and look them in the eye and see the expression and damage to their soul, you'll never understand why it is that we stand here today and say this type of thing should not be out there," Schoen said.
Atkins said the gun-shaped cellphone cases are being marketed as toys to young adults.
"Picture an airport, a school, a bank or a routine traffic stop where someone reaches for one of these," Atkins said. "What's going to happen? The airport is going to shut down. The school will go into lockdown."
If this piece of legislation becomes law, it still won't take effect until next summer.
Atkins has sent letters to the Minnesota Retailers Association and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to get their support.
"In the interest of public safety, I'm asking you to share the proposed legislation with your members and request that they not manufacture or sell these products in Minnesota," Atkins stated in the letter. "Your members can make a real difference in this matter."
Lawmakers and law enforcement from New York, New Jersey and Michigan have joined the push to ban the smart phone cases.
In light of recent criticism, online retailer Amazon has agreed to stop selling them.