Concern growing over replica firearms: Thunder Bay police

Thunder Bay police are asking members of the public to be careful when in possession of a replica firearm, as they can be difficult, if not impossible, to discern from the real thing during calls.

At a media conference on Wednesday, police showed a number of replica firearms that had been seized by officers recently. They included airsoft and pellet guns, and even plastic guns painted a dark colour.

The issue, Det. Insp. Jeremy Pearson said, is that it's often not possible to determine if a gun is real or not until it's been surrendered and examined.

"An individual with one of those in their hands has to be treated as an armed individual," Pearson said. "We have to respond to every incident as though public safety is at risk because that is our highest priority."

One recent example was an incident that took place earlier this month at the Thunder Centre. Police were dispatched with reports of a man waving a handgun.

The response included the police Emergency Task Unit and K9 Unit, and the suspect was shot with a less-lethal weapon. The Special Investigations Unit is now looking into the incident.

When the suspect's weapon was recovered, it was found to be an airsoft gun.

Pearson noted that real firearms can be produced in bright colours, which makes distinguishing them from replicas even more difficult.

"In a heightened situation when you're making a split-second decision under less than ideal circumstances, I think there's a very real danger posed by the inappropriate use of these tools," Pearson said. "I use the term tools because there are valid reasons and valid purposes for people to possess airsoft pistols or air guns."

"It's when they're used in a manner that becomes dangerous or criminal that the danger that they pose comes to life."

A 'concerning trend'

Pearson said police are asking people to be responsible when in possession of a replica firearm.

"If you present as an individual with a firearm, you will be treated as an individual with a firearm," he said. "That is simply the only thing we can do, is respond to every situation at the highest level as though it is the most serious, because public safety is our key concern at all times."

"Fortunately, through professionalism and de-escalation and all of the training that our officers receive, none of these situations have escalated," Pearson said. "However, it is on the individual carrying the replica firearm how these situations resolve."

Thunder Bay police Chief Darcy Fleury said the incidents involving replica firearms are a "concerning trend" in the city.

"It's a real concern for [the] safety of our officers, and for the people that possess these firearms," he said. "Anyone that does use one of these firearms in the commission of an offence will be charged as though that weapon was real."

Another issue is firearms manufactured to look like other items. For example, police showed a firearm they recovered that could be folded up to resemble a cell phone.

Pearson said that was discovered late last month as police investigated a single-vehicle collision.

"The occupants of the vehicle fled the scene," Pearson said, which "led to our intelligence unit becoming involved, and a search warrant being executed on the abandoned vehicle."

In addition to the firearm, police seized just under 800 grams of cocaine, and a number of pills believed to be oxycodone.