Officials Ask K-Mart To Pull Toy Guns From Shelves

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CBS) ― Not long after K-Mart stores pulled replica guns from store shelves in Minneapolis, the retailer said they would do the same in St. Paul. This comes after dozens of violent crimes on city streets involving the realistic but fake guns, reports CBS station WCCO-TV in Minneapolis.

K-Mart pulled the toy, pellet and BB guns in Minneapolis last week after a request was made by police there.

St. Paul Chief John Harrington first heard about the replica guns being sold in his city from WCCO.

Dozens of violent crimes on city streets have involved the realistic but fake guns. In one case, a teen was shot after pointing a replica gun at two police officers.

Harrington thanked WCCO for "pointing out the situation" to him about real-looking guns being sold at the K-Mart in St.Paul and he praised K-Mart for "doing the right thing" in pulling the replicas from their shelves.

The chief also encouraged all vendors in the metro area to take the same action if they carry similar items. As of Thursday, however, the replica guns remain available on shelves in suburban Twin Cities K-Mart stores.

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have ordinances forbidding fake guns and replicas in public.

In one case last spring, a Minn. teen was shot after he pointed a realistic toy gun at two police officers.