What Is a Starter Pistol?

Starter pistols are replica guns that only fire blanks; they can not fire real ammunition. These pistols are often used to signal the start of a race at track-and-field events or swim meets. They are also used as props for plays and movies.

  1. Identification

    • Many starter pistols used for track-and-field events or swim meets will be obvious replicas. These pistols look big and blocky and have very few moving parts. This design prevents people from confusing the starter pistol with a real firearm.

    Props

    • A starter pistol can be made to look like a real firearm. These are used as props in plays or movies. Most realistic replicas will be semi-automatic 8mm or 9mm pistols. Starter pistols are designed to look like Berettas, Glocks and other well-known handguns.

    Considerations

    • In the United Kingdom, the Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006 states that every starter pistol must be a bright color (such as hot pink, orange or bright red) in order to tell it apart from a real firearm. In the United States, laws vary from state to state. Some states consider starter pistols to be weapons; others do not. Some states don't directly address the issue, which creates a gray area.