Mum in plea on gun laws after girl is shot with BB gun
THE mother of a second schoolgirl shot with a BB gun near her home has called for tighter regulations on the use of the firearms.
Eight-year-old Megan Bithell was shot in the back as she played in her street with young friend Kharli Morris.
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SHOT: Megan with mum Julie.
The two Hempstalls Primary School pupils had been making a den in the Cross Heath street when they were struck with the pellets.
An investigation is ongoing to try and find the gunman.
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Megan's mum Julie Bithell, aged 37, of Albemarle Road, Cross Heath, said: "There should be tighter regulations around BB guns because in my view they are a weapon when they fall into the wrong hands.
"You never expect something like this to happen when you let your daughter play out with a friend.
"We have lived here for 10 years and it is the first time we have had a problem."
Megan ran to Kharli's grandmother's house in Albemarle Road after being hit with one of the pellets at around 5.30pm on Sunday.
Megan and five-year-old Kharli, who lives in Meadow Lane, Milehouse, did not need hospital treatment.
Julie added: "As soon as I got that call I was straight round to check up on the girls.
"Megan was upset because it had given her a shock, being hit from behind.
"I don't understand why anybody would target two young girls."
It is thought the BB gun was fired from a window at the Ashfield Courts flats complex, which is also in Albemarle Road. The complex houses vulnerable people.
Julie added: "I am very angry about the shooting and we are waiting to hear if any arrests have been made.
"I think these types of gun are very dangerous and it makes you wonder why young people have them in the first place.
"Megan is now worried about playing out at home.
"She was wearing quite a thick dress on the day. But it still managed to give her a nasty red mark on her back."
Ashfields Court is owned by social landlord Aspire Housing.
Aspire managing director Wayne Hughes said: "Ashfields Court is a supported housing scheme for young people in Aspire-owned accommodation.
"A company, Action Housing, provides the support and management team on site.
"Action Housing helps vulnerable people to establish a home and live responsibly in society."
Anyone who knows who fired the BB gun should call police on 101.
Comments
by grandmato7
Thursday, September 06 2012, 8:58PM
“well dookie im sure you think you know wot u talking about but these are classed as firearms by the police not the children who got hurt and they do cause damage they have marked the children not only on there body but probarly phscologically to,”
by muzzer57
Thursday, September 06 2012, 4:37PM
“BB gun ammunition sold legally in this country is plastic pellets not steel ball bearings.”
by 785434
Thursday, September 06 2012, 2:02PM
“@dookie71
That would be an airsoft gun, not a BB gun. BB Guns shoot steel pellets, and can do quite a lot of damage. Airsoft guns shoot plastic pellets, and unless shot at very, very close range, can't do any damage. More powerful BB Guns with a high muzzle velocity can be classed as firearms.
Either way, the fact that it left a mark after being fired from a distance, and the fact that the shooters targeted young girls in the first place, shows that something needs to be done here. I really do hope that they find the person responsible and confiscate any airsoft/BB guns and evict them from the flats at a minimum.”
by dookie71
Thursday, September 06 2012, 1:29PM
“Huey.....if you actually take time to read my comment, you will find no reference to me saying it is ok.. It doesn't distract from the fact that BB guns are toys NOT FIREARMS. At an average speed of 200FPS they are nowhere near the speed of a proper firearm. I say again that it is wrong what the person/people have done, but please no knee-jerk reactions again banning them all.”
by Huey_Hog
Thursday, September 06 2012, 1:17PM
“And if you go in a bank and wave one around you will be done for having a FIREARM irrespective of how dangerous you percieve it to be. It is simply not acceptable to fire these things at anyone, particularly young children. Saying it's OK because it wasn't an AK47 is missing the point entirely.”
by dookie71
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:22AM
“Sorry, it is bad what has happened and I hope those responsible are caught, but, BB guns are not proper weapons, they are only a bit more powerful than a good Nerf gun. They are toys not firearms. DEFINATION OF A FIREARM....A weapon, especially a pistol or rifle, capable of firing a projectile and using an explosive charge as a propellant. go on then bring on the comments against me now.”