Much of the worry is that even experts cannot tell from a distance which is which.

Can you tell the difference? Some of these photographs are of real weapons, some are replicas. One is a cigarette lighter.

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Answers

1. REAL - it's a Beretta 9mm pistol
2. REPLICA - it's a Colt 1911 replica

3. CIGARETTE LIGHTER - similar to one carried by Brixton man shot by police

4. REAL - an Ingram Mac-10 machine pistol

5. REPLICA - a Brocock ME 38

6. REPLICA - a 'Police' 8mm imported from Italy

7. REAL - Micro Uzi Machine pistol

8. REAL - a Smith and Wesson .38 snub nose

9. REAL - a Walther PPK.32 pistol

10. REPLICA - it's a semi-automatic, blank firing replica of a Glock 17

Send your comments

OK I got 100% right, but I'm from a military background and know what to look for. But we shouldn't expect police to identify them in a split second when it's pointing at them.
Tom, UK

I got quite a few of them wrong. This should highlight how hard it must be for the Armed Police have when called out. A situation that could turn nasty at ANY second. From a distance it must be near impossible to tell them apart.
Nik, UK

Surely the intention of a replica is to look exactly like the original, except it�s non functioning. So how would you expect an expert to tell the difference at a distance? If they could it would not be a replica.
Mike, UK

It doesn't really matter, real or fake it would still induce fear in anyone it's pointed at. As someone who has owned replicas and has fired many types of weapon, I only got three right out of the list. I personally have handed in all my replicas and good riddance.
Nick, UK

I'm in the Army, and I'm used to handling weapons - but I only got 4/10 right.
Name withheld, Wales

I got a 50% failure rate in a no-stress situation. If I was an armed policeman threatened any of these objects I would shoot first and ask questions later. Anyone with a replica must be up to no good. I have no sympathy at all with those carrying such objects.
Chris, Australia

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