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Super Soaker Shotgun: Randy Smith Converted Water Gun Into 20-Gauge Weapon, Cops Say

Supershotgun

The Huffington Post     First Posted: 05/23/12 08:31 AM ET Updated: 05/23/12 01:15 PM ET

This is hardly child's play: Randy Smith, 54, was reportedly found walking the streets of Fresno, Calif., Saturday night, carrying a Super Soaker that he had converted into a 20-gauge shotgun, according to KMPH.

Normally cops wouldn't raise an eyebrow at someone waltzing around town with one of a high-powered plastic water guns, but an uptick in toy-to-gun conversions made officers more suspicious of Smith.

They stopped him and found that he had indeed fashioned a powerful weapon out of $30 worth of parts.

"He took the Super Soaker apart, was able to fashion a barrel to where he was able to make what's considered a zip gun, where you can fire one round through it. In this case it was a 20-gauge shotgun shell," Fresno Police Sgt. Mark Hudson told the station.

But as NBC pointed out, the conversion isn't just illegal, it's dangerous for the manufacturer. Makeshift barrels can explode under pressure, sending shrapnel and gunpowder flying.

"So they're just relying on, maybe this [gun barrel] will hold up. Well, you could be putting a gun next to your head, or you could be putting a hand grenade next to your head," Hudson said.

Smith was arrested Saturday night and released Sunday on gun-related charges. He's been in and out of prison since 1994, police said.

 
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09:31 AM on 05/30/2012
You have to give them points for ingenuity.
11:13 PM on 05/28/2012
You don't put that type of a gun next to your head anyway silly.. its fired from the hip. It does not have a shoulder stock...

Low Brass ammo and Gas line pipe...???
01:57 PM on 05/27/2012
If the shell chamber isn't strong enough, the whole thing turns to a grenade on the user, not the intended victim. Shame the cops couldn't have Mr. Smith 'test fire' the weapon on a range...just to see if he really knew how to build a weapon or not...if he didn't...well, would save California a LOT in trial costs, anyhow.
10:20 PM on 05/24/2012
Add this to the list of things not to do. I imagine that will be many more trying this now since it made it to headline news.
11:14 AM on 05/24/2012
Horrible reporting to garner views. He DID NOT turn a toy into a real gun. He made a single shot 'zip gun' from steel pipe, and hid it in a toy. Completely different.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LibertyDeathWatch
Knocking down the strawmen like a boss.
05:00 PM on 05/26/2012
Exactly, and there is a difference.
08:30 AM on 05/27/2012
As your name and following suggest you have some knowledge of currect liberty strife and communications skills, how would you suggest a disabled Veteran who is being railroaded into felony charges in Florida who defended himself from repeated pit bull attack, was denied self defense rights or florida stand your ground rights, instead arrested felony animal cruelty where live recording of attack and all evidence proves him innocent and the witness statements substantially change? Been in court mroe t han a year now and costing him thousands and fed/state have oppressed the story and will not help...can you help? fairjustice.one@gmail.com or Nelson PO Box 440823 Jacksonville FL 32148 if they make him take plea or load a jury against him he will lose all his VA benefits and care, and they have tried to make him give up his home/deny him right to enter or leave- very sad but true display of what passes for honor and integrity in law today
01:59 AM on 05/28/2012
Now the ATF will figure out a way to turn this into a "machine gun" by definition.
01:21 PM on 05/29/2012
The brady bunch is gonna have a field day.