As kids we used to have BB gun fights all the time. They would not break the skin but would sting and raise a welt. We learned real quick to duck!
Are today's BB guns more powerful or are the fright mongers trying to make hay with this claim?
Your standard Daisy Red Rider is still as slow as ever, but many other pellet guns have good velocity behind them. I still prefer a good wrist-rocket slingshot for ultimate power.
the single pump ones we grew up with aren't to dangerous past 25 feet or so...but some of the more modern .22 cal pellet guns can get up around 1,000 fps.