Ball bearing (BB) guns, ease of purchase and potential for significant injury

Authors: Grocock, C.¹; McCarthy, R.²; Williams, D.J.³

Source: Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Volume 88, Number 4, July 2006 , pp. 402-404(3)

Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England

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Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Ball bearing guns are used in the UK for war games, but they have the potential to cause severe injury if used incorrectly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was made for availability of these weapons, the ease of purchase and the potential for tissue damage.

RESULTS: These weapons are widely available on the Internet and are easy to purchase with no security checks. Once fully charged, an electric BB gun is capable of penetrating a cadaveric animal model at distances up to 5 m (1 m = 25 mm penetration, 3 m = 20 mm penetration, 5 m = 15 mm penetration).

CONCLUSIONS: BB guns are not toys and have a significant potential to cause injury.

Keywords: BALL BEARING GUNS; INJURY; AVAILABILITY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1308/003588406X98630

Affiliations: 1: Department of Surgery, The Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK 2: Department of Vascular Surgery, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, Devon, UK 3: Department of Vascular Surgery, The Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, UK