Ball bearing (BB) guns, ease of purchase and potential for significant injury.
BACKGROUND
Ball bearing guns are used in the UK for war games, but they have the potential to cause severe injury if used incorrectly.


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.
Grocock
C
C
Department of Surgery, The Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
McCarthy
R
R
Williams
D J
DJ
D005389:Firearms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D006801:Humans; D010988:Play and Playthings; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000209:etiology*