A gel gun—also known as a gel blaster, Orbeez gun, or gel ball blaster—is a toy firearm that shoots soft, water-filled gel balls made from superabsorbent polymers. These toys are marketed as a safer alternative to paintball or airsoft, but are they really safe? Here's everything you need to know.
What Exactly Is a Gel Gun?
Gel guns fire 7–8mm hydrated gel balls that expand from tiny beads when soaked in water. These gellets are typically made from sodium polyacrylate, a superabsorbent polymer commonly found in diapers and gardening products. Once hydrated, they become soft, squishy projectiles that burst on impact and evaporate cleanly, making them both biodegradable and non-toxic.
How Do Gel Guns Work?
Gel guns operate similarly to airsoft blasters but with lower velocities and softer ammo.
Power Source:
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Battery-powered motors (most common)
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Manual spring-loaded systems
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Compressed gas (rare)
Typical Performance:
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Velocity: 90–250 FPS
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Magazine Capacity: 400–1,200 rounds
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Fire Modes: Semi-auto or full-auto
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Ammo Cost: ~$10 for 10,000 gellets
Because the ammo disintegrates on contact, gel guns leave minimal mess and are often playable in backyards or private fields.
Are Gel Guns Safe?
Gel guns are generally safer than airsoft or paintball, but that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. The main safety concerns include:
1. Eye Injuries
This is the most severe risk. Gel balls can cause:
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Corneal abrasions
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Hyphema (bleeding inside the eye)
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Retinal damage in extreme cases
According to multiple studies, a third of gel gun-related injuries involve eye trauma, often due to lack of eye protection.
🔒 Always wear ANSI Z87.1-rated safety goggles when using gel blasters.
2. Ingestion Risks
Gellets can be dangerous if swallowed, especially by children under 8. Between 2018 and 2022, over 6,700 ingestion injuries were reported in the U.S. alone.
3. Battery Fires
Some electric gel guns have been recalled due to overheating lithium-ion batteries, posing a fire hazard.
4. Mistaken Identity
Many gel guns resemble real firearms. Police have responded to multiple incidents where toy blasters were mistaken for lethal weapons.
To prevent this:
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Keep the orange muzzle tip visible
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Avoid painting or modifying the appearance
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Never brandish in public places
Legal Status in the U.S.
While gel guns are not classified as firearms under federal law, they are still subject to toy safety and state-specific regulations.
Federal Rules:
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Must feature a bright color or orange tip
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Proposed CPSC regulation may further restrict water bead toy sales due to ingestion hazards
State Examples:
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California: Orange tip required, public carry banned
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New York City: Realistic-looking toy guns banned from sale
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Texas: Legal but discouraged in public settings
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Retail Trends: Amazon and Walmart have limited gel gun listings and added age gates
How Old Should You Be?
| Age Group | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 8 | ❌ Not recommended (choking risk) |
| 8–13 | ✅ Supervised use with low-powered models |
| 14 and older | ✅ Recommended with proper safety gear |
Tip: Even teens should be reminded that eye protection is non-negotiable.v
Safe Usage Tips
To minimize risks:
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✔ Always wear goggles
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✔ Play on private property
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✔ Never shoot at animals or unaware people
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✔ Store gel balls away from children
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✔ Avoid pointing at the face
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✔ Follow battery safety instructions
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❌ Don’t bring gel blasters to public spaces
So, Are Gel Guns Safe?
Yes—with caveats.
Gel guns are a fun, eco-friendly, and less painful alternative to other blasters, but they’re not risk-free. With proper safety precautions—especially eye protection and responsible play—they can be safely enjoyed by teens and adults.
