Imitation guns modified to fire real bullets a cause for concern

Blank guns, or blank firing guns, refer to imitation firearms (mostly pistols) that can be loaded with blank bullets and are often used as starting pistols in sports competitions or on movie sets. But they can be modified to function like a real firearm with the replacement of a new barrel.

This type of imitation gun is developed from BB air gun, which is designed to shoot metallic or plastic pellets, with a more realistic look. Media reports initially identified the weapon used by the teenager as a Glock pistol, perhaps due to its realistic look.

Those imitation guns are not considered firearms under Thai law, so it is legal to possess them without having a permit or registering them. However, blank guns modified to fire real bullets are considered illegal.

Although it is not illegal to have a blank gun, the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation Guns Act of…