Police charge two men for firing 'potato gun'

Gazette ^ | Eric Kelderman

[Sir Gawain]

-

[RedBloodedAmerican]

If it shot french fries, would that be considered an as-salt weapon?

[dighton]

Quick-Click Potato Gun Reference

[dirtboy]

If you wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil, do they become armor-piercing?

[Dimensio]

Wonder how serious it would have been if they had used a Banana Cannon?

[Bob]

The longer section is about two inches in diameter, England said, and holds the potato.

I wonder if the gun-grabbers will start describing this device as a "200 caliber biological weapon".

[3AngelaD]

I thought the Santa Claus incident proved, beyond doubt, that authorities in Rockville and Montgomery County have absolutely no sense of humor. Those two kids must have read Dave Barry's column about potato guns when they were in junior high school. I would prefer young guys constructing homemade potato guns to young guys converting to heathen religions and taking up arms against their country. I certainly hope those kids get a break. AdR

[the]

First they want to ban smoking, and now they don't want anyone firing spud guns!? What is it with Montgomery County, do they hate anyone having fun?

discharging a weapon

Is it a weapon or a toy? Maybe just a tool.

[r9etb]

Well, it is pretty stupid to fire those things off in town. They deserve their fine.

That said, the gentlemen would do well to look Here for pointers on a next-generation weapon....

[TC Rider]

If only the doughnut launcher attachment had been operational, it would have distracted the police.

Heh, heh, I've had one of these for years that I built myself. It is defineately a 'country' device and I would not reccommend using it in populated areas.

I can get about 300 - 400 yards out of mine with the right projectile, fuel-air mix, etc.

Aquanet Super Hold RULES!

[MeekOneGOP]

Give 'em 20 years of HASH browns!

[Inge_CAV]

"and James Butts, 18"

Wonder if he has any sisters?

[Centurion2000]

The two face a possible $500 fine for discharging a weapon, according to Treschuk

Anyone have stats on how many potato guns have killed people, or how many robberies or assualts have been commited with the 'extremely lethal' (/sarcasm) potato guns ?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

So do chidren now have to register their ammo purchases at Toys R Us? Where is Feinstein?

[DE50AE]

Next they'll call shooting paper wads with a rubber band "discharging a weapon". Montgomery County is an embarrassment to Maryland, as Maryland is to the rest of the country.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

1. Name is Bertha.

[Cuttnhorse]

A potato(e) gun is what the Idaho National Guard uses.

[brazos.357]

I had one that I used in the country, but when I moved into town, I sold it for $20. And as far as your "Aquanet" statement, Have you tried Acetyline? or shaved down golf balls instead of potatoes? FUN, FUN, FUN!

[Cicero]

Wouldn't you think they had something better to do than arresting teenagers for firing a potato gun? A warning, maybe, if the location was dangerous. But good grief, can't a boy have fun any more?

I witnessed a potato gun in action the summer before last on an Island in Maine. It was awesome. The propellant, believe it or not, was a certain kind of hair spray, sprayed into the firing chamber from an aerosol can and ignited with a kind of barbecue sparker.