North Mankato Youth With Airsoft Gun Cited For Discharging A Firearm

12-year-old Dyllon Johnston of North Mankato has been cited for discharging a firearm within city limits after a neighbor called in a complaint. Johnston and two friends were playing with Airsoft guns, and police confiscated the plastic guns, then two days later informed Johnston's parents that 12-year-old Dyllon has been cited.

Johnston's father, Michael, says the city's ordinance is too broad and vague, "By the city's definition of a firearm, it could include a Nerf gun, a water gun, anything that has air or a spring in it is considered a firearm in North Mankato."

Johnston says he intends to fight the citation in court because he's worried it will follow his son into his adult life, "It still shows up on his juvenile record as a charge, but that the charge has been dismissed, and i don't want that to tie his hands in the future."

Mike Kennedy, the North Mankato City Attorney declined comment saying the city does not discuss pending cases, or cases involving juveniles.  Kennedy says the ordinance will be reviewed at the end of the year, and that he's heard comments from people who oppose the law, and from those who support it and don't want to see it changed.