Can a Pellet Pistol Cause Bodily Harm?

A pellet pistol can cause bodily harm due to the high muzzle velocity of the pellet. Because a pellet gun's pellet travels at such a high rate of speed, it can damage a person's body just about anywhere, especially the face, eyes and other soft tissue locations. These firearms should be handled with care by adults and not given as a toy to young children and older adolescents.

Velocity

• Pellet guns are classified along with other nonpowder guns--air rifles, pellet guns and ball-bearing BB guns--as dangerous in the hands of the untrained due to the high velocity discharge of the gun. These firearms can generate muzzle speeds of 150 feet per second to 1,200 feet per second. By way of comparison, a regular firearm pistol's muzzle velocity is 750 feet per second.

Pellet Pistol Injury

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists pellet pistol injuries in its bodily injury category. The CDC says the injuries are due to a pellet gunshot being fired forcefully from the gun, resulting in a penetrating force injury. This type of injury is classified as nonfatal.

Pellet Pistol Is a Weapon

• In most states, a pellet gun is considered a firearm. Legally, a firearm is any instrument that can be reasonably expected to cause bodily harm. According to the Michigan State Police website, "a pellet pistol does fall under the definition of a firearm, and is subject to all license to purchase, safety inspection certificate and concealed pistol license requirements."