Mounties in Alberta are issuing a public safety reminder about replica firearms.
This comes after the Chestermere RCMP responded to an incident on January 8.
Police say the firearms-related complaint involved several youths in the Alberta community. The RCMP says members safely seized a replica handgun “that closely resembled a real Glock-style firearm”.
“The imitation handgun was visually indistinguishable from a real firearm,” officials say.
All firearm-related calls are treated as a top public safety priority, so when police respond, officers must assume the weapon is real.
The RCMP says the presence of a replica or imitation firearm can put the person in possession of it, members of the public, and responding officers at a significant risk.
“This incident could have had very serious consequences,” says Staff Sergeant Kathy Klassen, Detachment Commander of the Chestermere RCMP.
“Replica firearms look real, and officers have no way of knowing otherwise when responding to a call. Youth and their parents need to understand that carrying or displaying these items in public can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation.”
In the January 8 incident, the RCMP says the replica handgun was discovered to be a water gun, and it was seized without anyone getting hurt. The kids involved were educated on the risks and potential consequences associated with replica firearms.
Mounties say parents play an important role in preventing situations like the one in Chestermere. “We encourage families to have open conversations about replica guns and to ensure these items are not taken into public spaces,” states Klassen.
The RCMP is reminding everyone that replica firearms, which could include airsoft, pellet, BB, or toy guns designed to look real, could result in seizure, criminal charges, or other enforcement action depending on the situation.
Anyone with questions or concerns related to public safety is asked to contact their local RCMP or police detachment.
