At least four people were arrested at the Gramercy Park Hotel on Tuesday evening after reportedly flashing BB guns on social media, officials said.
Security personnel at the luxury boutique hotel received a complaint around 5 p.m. of possible weapons inside Room 1112. A security guard overheard someone in the room say, “Be careful, you’re gonna shoot yourself,” police sources said.
The Emergency Service Unit personnel responded to the posh Lexington Avenue hotel in bulletproof vests with NYPD dogs. Police entered the room, where they found six BB guns along with drug paraphernalia, and arrested those inside.
The individuals had allegedly been livestreaming video of themselves on Facebook while posing with the faux weaponry.
The investigation was ongoing. It was unclear what laws were broken, or if the individuals would face any charges.
There is no permit or registration required to have a paintball, BB or airsoft gun, which are not considered firearms in New York City. However, “if you use one in the commission of a crime, you can be charged with firearms possession,” according to law enforcement sources.
A representative of the hotel declined to comment about the incident.