Morgantown Police patrolman first class R.J. Chipps displays a homemade projectile launcher that was confiscated after officers heard shots being fired in the Kingwood Street area Monday morning.
Posted on 10/10/2001 6:44:35 AM PDT by SJackson
Morgantown police officers patrolling in South Park were shocked by several loud sounds resembling gunshots Monday afternoon. Upon checking the area they found no gunmen, but did find a WVU student playing with a potato or golf ball launcher in the 200 block of Kingwood Street.
The launcher was a homemade device -- made as part of an assignment for an engineering class, the student said -- using PVC piping. Officer R. Chipps said potato balls, golf balls or wadded up pieces of newspaper can be stuffed into the smaller end. Then a * accelerant, such as hair spray, is sprayed into the wider end, and an ignition source is introduced further into the pipe via a hole or an installed switch.
The tubing creates quite a good missile launcher, and the result can be broken windows, damaged property, or a pretty big welt, depending on the target. Chipps said many people don't realize that objects such as these -- along with BB guns and paintball g uns -- are prohibited within the city.
"The trouble is that people don't realize the law," he said.
Chipps, along with Officer T.D. Webber, confiscated the launcher but did not make any arrests. They said the owner of the launcher was shooting objects against his garage door, which created the loud, shotgun type sounds. The owner didn't cause any trouble, they said, and surrendered the launcher willingly.
Another similar launcher was recently confiscated on Willey Street near Price Street, police said.
Morgantown Police patrolman first class R.J. Chipps displays a homemade projectile launcher that was confiscated after officers heard shots being fired in the Kingwood Street area Monday morning.
/john
"I never left my juvenile stage according to my wife"
NeverGore :^)
So, if you have a potato gun, DON't use acetelyne!
Potato cannons are very popular.
Noslrac
Standard issue of just about any engineering dormitory in the first year.
There are also legal in Texas. A spud gun / potato cannon that uses ignition of any substance is considered a "zip gun", which is on the list of prohibited weapons.
Violation is a third-degree felony.
Ahhh...but Acetelyne & oxygen, optimally mixed via a welding rig, used to inflate a 50 gallon trash bag, and ignited...will ROCK. YOUR. WORLD.
My GOD it makes a big noise!
In a related development, Sheriff Andy Griffith today issued a new SPUD-10 potato gun to Deputy Barney Fife.
In the interest of public safety, Deputy Fife has only been issued one potato.
When reached for comment, the Deputy said "Nip it! Nip it in the bud!"
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