America’s law enforcement do face risks everyday. However, it seems a bit far-fetched to suggest that an airsoft gun or two wielded in a non-threatening manner poses a great danger to anyone.
Days ago, the New York Police Department’s 77th Precinct posted a photo of what looks like an impressive array of firearms and hardware. Along with the photo, the social media post claimed the photo “demonstrated the risks that police officers face everyday.”
This morning’s rooftop incident demonstrated the risks that police officers face every day. The safe resolution was truly a team effort. Take a look at what the subject had in his possession. pic.twitter.com/1cfYA5KPQK
— NYPD 77th Precinct (@NYPD77Pct) March 3, 2020
The Twitter post conspicuously omits any mention that the gear shown was airsoft pellet guns, not real firearms.
The New York media eagerly published the story involving what look like scary guns, including police video. A dispassionate look at the video shows a man posing for some selfies with his airsoft gear.
Real or Fake? This NYPD Aviation footage captured what a 911 caller reported earlier today in Brooklyn. It was only an Airsoft rifle and the male was safely taken into custody by ESU. @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/y7hD0lYLOR
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) March 3, 2020
Obviously one or more neighbors called the police to investigate, just in case. Of course, the mainstream media had to dial up the dramatic sensationalism to ’11’. Here’s the NY Daily News story:
A Brooklyn man busted for terrorizing neighbors when he took to a rooftop waving what appeared to be a rifle has been charged and given a summons, authorities said Wednesday.
In other words, they didn’t even jail him.
Cops charged Chenhan Jiang with reckless endangerment, obstruction of government administration, weapons possession, menacing and disorderly conduct. He was given a summons ordering him to face the charges in court later this month. The gun turned out to be BB rifle.
Cops did, however, take his collection of airsoft gear and posed for a photo to tout the great risks of their profession. After all, taking down airsoft players one at a time will make NY city streets safer, particularly in light of NY State’s new “no cash bail” law.