The air-soft gun was retrieved by an officer from the principal at the school and has been placed into evidence as found property.  At this point police do not know who is the owner of the air-soft gun or why it was left in the schoolyard.  It was not brought into the school by a student.

An air-soft pellet gun fires plastic pellets as compared to a BB gun that fires steel pellets, coated with zinc or copper.  BB guns and air soft pellet guns are often very similar in appearance to a real firearm and can pose problems for police when they confront someone who has one in their possession.

BB, Air or CO2 guns may be possessed by anyone over the age of 18 without any license.  A minor under 18 must either: (1) be accompanied by an adult, or (2) have a "sporting license" and permit issued by the local police chief; and no one may discharge one of these weapons over a public way.  On private property, no license is required, regardless of age, if the gun is possessed in a private place and not discharged.

Unless a parent, guardian or authorized instructor, no one may furnish or sell these guns to a minor.

The initial posting on this story is available here