Student groups on campus are playing a game that is causing others to call the police.
The game is called a variety of names, including “Assassins” and “game of elimination.”
About five MSU police officers approached Criminal justice freshman Michael Klopp and two friends were after they were seen walking into Akers Hall with what was thought to be a handgun last week.
A Capitol Area Transportation Authority bus driver reported the situation.
But the supposed gun the bus driver saw was an air-soft gun that shoots yellow pellets - although the gun looked real enough for him to be concerned.
Klopp said he is playing the “Assassins” game as an icebreaker for the men’s novice crew team. The women’s novice and men’s varsity crew teams also participate in the 100-person elimination game.
The game has been going on for about three weeks now, and Klopp said it’s no longer worth playing the game with guns. Students play the game across campus with a few locations off-limits, including class, the library and sports practice.
“Being in a criminal justice major, I can understand where they are coming from,” said Klopp, adding that he was nervous as the police pointed real guns at him. “I think it’s their job to protect us.”
Klopp said the game is still going on, but players have decided to use rubber bands and Nerf balls to eliminate each other.
Residence hall regulations and university ordinances prohibit activities that create safety hazards.
Under the disorderly assemblage, or conduct ordinance, students could be charged with a misdemeanor. But the Firearms or Weapons Ordinance does not differentiate between the acceptance of toy guns.
MSU police Inspector Mary Johnson says the way the game is being conducted now is unacceptable. She said she supports the use of alternative “weapons,” including socks and tennis balls, and not toy guns.
“We have to make snap decisions,” said Johnson, who added officers do not want to make a mistake and shoot someone holding a toy weapon that looks real. “They are making guns look like toys, and making toys look like guns,” she said.
Johnson said the police department would support a game that’s planned out in a certain location where police and the public know it’s taking place.
“What’s happened with 9-11 has heightened everyone’s awareness,” Johnson said. “They will see something like this crop up and call the police like they should.”
Matt McKune, manager of Hubbard and Akers halls, said he is concerned the “assassins” game is not safe.
“I think it’s very dangerous because people don’t know until you look closely to see if it’s a real gun or a toy gun,” McKune said. “There are other ways to play ‘assassins,’ and it should be done without guns.”
