NYPD Shows Off Gun It Took Off The Streets, But Social Media Is Pretty Sure It's A Cosplay Prop

Police historically have not had the best time when they show off confiscated contraband on social media, and they've once again become the target of Twitter mockery for showing off a combination knife/gun toy social media believes was likely lifted from a cosplayer.

Yesterday, the NYPD showed off a slickly designed gun/blade combo and a fake FBI shield said to have been taken from a suspect in the 90th precinct of the city, which serves the South Williamsburg area of Brooklyn.

Social media quickly identified the "gun" as the "Otherworld Steampunk Gun Blade Sword," a prop piece that is incapable of firing bullets. With this information, many began to joke about the NYPD arresting characters from video games and anime. In particular, Squall from Final Fantasy VIII, who wields a similar gun blade, was the subject of multiple jokes, as was Thancred from Final Fantasy XIV. Some even went so deep as to mention the Brunhild from In Another World With My Smartphone.

Despite the round of jokes, some users said the police were probably in the right to apprehend the fancifully-dressed suspect. Wearing an FBI badge in public, even a fake one, is a likely way to end up in legal trouble, and while the "gun" was clearly fake, the blade was real and long enough, even blunt, to violate New York law.

As of now, there's no further information about the suspect, and some are wondering if he has been charged with a crime or if he's been let go and given his toys back.