KUALA LUMPUR: Police are working to curb the widespread sale of imitation firearms, known as gel-blaster guns, which some criminals use misuse for illegal activities.
The guns, essentially toys, look like the real deal and are being sold on social media, as well as in some brick-and-mortar stores.
Last year, police recorded 148 cases involving the use of these toy guns in crime, the majority of which saw criminals using them to rob their victims.
"This year, between January and last month, we have recorded 36 cases.
"While we have noted a drop in cases, the sale of such toys or imitation weapons has caught our attention," Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told the New Straits Times.
On Saturday, police dismantled an imitation firearms syndicate here, seizing more than over 600 imitation firearms.
The problem, however, is far from over.
Razarudin said a number of e-commerce platforms allowed the sale of these toys even though they were illegal.
"These imitation guns are sold as children's toys, but many look identical to real firearms."
He said e-commerce platforms must be more proactive in blocking the sale of these illegal counterfeit weapons.
Razarudin also called on other authorities, including the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to help police curb the sale of the toy guns.
"Further enforcement is needed and interagency cooperation will certainly help us in our actions against the sale of such items.
"MCMC can help us identify those selling imitation firearms via social media or e-commerce platforms," he said.
He reminded the public that possessing, selling, buying, and distributing these items was an offence under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960, punishable with an up to one year jail term or fine of up to RM5,000, or both.
"This section prohibits the sale, possession, and distribution of imitation firearms that closely resemble real weapons without proper authorisation," he said, adding that the law was designed to prevent misuse and sale of imitation firearms that may pose a threat to public safety.
"The police are constantly conducting intelligence and monitoring on the sale of counterfeit weapons and even toy weapons.
"So do not be surprised or plead ignorance of the law if you are found to have these so-called toys in your possession."
He said this should serve as a warning for all those selling, buying or possessing these items. "We will not compromise or turn a blind eye to such activities," he said.