Man faces charges after BB gun incident

At about 8pm last night Police were called to the Arataki Skate Bowl Park in Mount Maunganui because concerned members of the public observed an intoxicated male with a pistol.

On arrival the male fled the area discarding the firearm and was located a short distance later. The firearm was a gas powered BB pistol and has been recovered by the Police.

The offender is an 18 year old local male who is currently on community detention and does not hold a firearms licence. He will appear in the Tauranga District Court today on charges of intoxicated in charge of a firearm and presenting a firearm.

Gas powered BB guns are classed as a firearm under the Arms Act 1983 and any incident involving these weapons are dealt with very seriously by the Police.