And they are urging anyone in possession of the plastic BB (ball-bearing) guns to turn them in.

Spokesman Sgt. John Dale yesterday showed the plastic gun to the media in hopes of bringing to residents' attention that it is illegal, even though it is sold freely in US stores.

Det. Sgt. Ralph Furbert and Det. Con. Frankie Foggo said so far this year they had confiscated several of the guns, which fire plastic pellets.

The .177-calibre gun's pellets are capable of puncturing the skin and could cause a person serious harm if they hit them in the eyes.

The detectives believe youths between the ages of 17 and 25 were responsible for bringing most of them in, not knowing they were illegal.

"They are sold widely in the US,'' Det. Sgt. Furbert said. "But here they are illegal and possession of them could carry severe penalties -- depending on how they are used.'' He said there had been several recent reports of firearms being used in the commission of criminal acts. They believed what the victims saw could have been BB guns.

ILLEGAL FIREARM -- Police believe this menacing-looking toy gun, which fires plastic pellets, is being brought into Bermuda by people who do not realise it is illegal. Showing how it fired holes through cardboard are Det. Sgt. Ralph Furbert and Det. Con. Frankie Foggo.