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Neb. considers law for robberies with toy guns

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Robbers who use a toy gun in a hold-up could still face a felony firearm charge in Nebraska, under a new bill considered by lawmakers.

Senator Burke Harr of Omaha said Thursday that he introduced the measure because state law doesn't consider situations involving fake guns or guns that don't work.

Prosecutors say it's a problem in cases where a gun is never recovered, and victims can't say for sure whether they were threatened with a deadly weapon. Defense lawyers say most cases with fake guns already involve charges of robbery or other serious crimes.

The bill could apply to BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, squirt guns and replicas. The bill is LB877.

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