'They're both pistols': Imitation handguns a growing concern for Saskatoon police

Eileen Higgins is holding two handguns, offering her expert opinion on the similarities between the two weapons.

"They're both pistols. Yes, this one has a little red doodad on the front but I mean that can easily be painted or cut off," she said.

"If I was a police officer, I would still be concerned and treating them like he, she, whatever, whoever was a bad person.  And was armed, absolutely."

Higgins owns Saskatoon Gunsmith Shoppe Ltd. and has been around firearms of all shape, size and calibre for more than three decades.

In one hand she's holding a $40 Heckler and Koch Airsoft BB pistol. In the other hand, an actual Heckler and Koch handgun that costs $900.

There is precious little separating the fake from the real, other than plastic trim and the "red doodad" inserted in the barrel.

The similarity strikes to the heart of what's happening with handguns on the streets of Saskatoon.

By the numbers

Criminals in Saskatoon are using handguns more than ever.

In 2017 police seized 200 handguns, which accounts for almost half of the guns taken by officers. Of that 200, Insp. Dale Solie said 79.5 per cent were imitation. These were weapons seized by police, but not necessarily used in a crime.

In 2016, the fake handguns accounted for 69.9 per cent of those seized. In 2015, it was 45.4 per cent.

It's not a problem unique to Saskatchewan. In 2015, for instance, the Edmonton Police Service said officers responded to 1,598 incidents involving imitation guns.

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The consequences of using an imitation gun can be harsh. A realistic-but-fake handgun can traumatize a victim as much as a real gun. They also pose a real risk to the public because they can be mistaken by police as real firearms.

Ottawa weighs in

In June, CBC News learned that the federal Justice department is reviewing proposals to tighten controls on the imitation weapons.

This followed years of lobbying from police groups do just that.

As it stands now, the only real impediments to buying imitation guns are price and age. The guns range from $40 to $500, and a purchaser must typically be over 18.