Lawmakers from 15 states are setting their sights on toy guns. They have all proposed bills seeking some sort of punishment for the use or display of a toy gun in places like vehicles or stores.  One of the major issues with toy guns is their similarity to real guns. Any kids could pull off this orange cap and a police officer wouldn't be able to tell the difference. And that can end in a very tragic situation.

David Woldt keeps guns, fake or real, out of his house and away from his children. He knows the affects guns can have and how real a toy gun can look.

"I don't really care much for them because just the fact that someone could be a little ways away and it could be a real gun. Doesn't matter what color it is," said David Woldt, a Sioux Falls father of two.

That likeness is the reason lawmakers are searching for a change. They're worried plastic guns are confusing police. Even Sioux Falls Police admit it's hard to tell them apart.

"No you can't. Even when toy guns have been painting a different color," stated Sgt. David McIntire with the Sioux Falls Police Department.  

Federal law requires toy guns or imitations to be orange-tipped. But for some lawmakers, that doesn't go far enough since it's easy to paint over the orange. And it's just as easy to make a real gun look fake.

"For a long time, criminals have been painting their guns different colors just to get police to hesitate," said Sgt. McIntire. 

That confusion forces police to take every situation seriously and take the appropriate action.

McIntire stated, "Every situations different, but like I said before, if it looks like a gun, it's considered a gun until we figure out otherwise."

Sergeant McIntire isn't sure if banning toy guns is the right move.

"I don't know that that's necessarily the answer. Toy guns themselves are not the problem.  It's people's behavior," said Sgt. McIntire. 

But David would like to see them gone.

"I don't want guns around. Like the little play guns and stuff. Even in the stores, " said Woldt.  

The National Rifle Association has responded by saying such legislation is "silly" because it doesn't deal with the issues of crime.