After Saanich and Victoria Police Departments responded replica handguns, police say firearm calls trigger a priority response.
Left: Saanich Police responded to a report of a gun that turned out to be a replica, Supernova torch lighter. Right: Victoria Police responded to a report of a hand gun that turned out to be a replica.
. After both Saanich Police and Victoria Police Departments responded to reports of what turned out to be replica handguns this week, police are emphasizing the response resources utilized, as firearm calls trigger a priority response. On May 1, VicPD says a young tourist found and reported a replica firearm in the waters of Victoria’s Inner Harbour.“Kudos to 12-year-old Wela, visiting from Denmark, who spotted what she believed was a real firearm in the water at the Inner Harbour and reported it to VicPD,” the VicPD statement read. “Thankfully, it turned out to be a replica—but we commend Wela for recognizing a potential safety concern and reporting it to police.” Kudos to 12-year-old Wela, visiting from Denmark, who spotted what she believed was a real firearm in the water at the Inner Harbour and reported it to VicPD. Thankfully, it turned out to be a replica—but we commend Wela for recognizing a potential safety concern and reporting it…The replica gun is not illegal but police have seen a growing trend in responding to firearm reports, only to find they are replicas. VicPD stated officers seized more than 80 real and replica firearms while responding to calls last year. “Although not illegal, officers regularly encounter replica firearms in the line of duty, which pose serious safety risks to the public, the individuals carrying them, and responding officers. In 2024, over 80 real and replica firearms were seized while responding to calls for service,” reads VicPD’s online statement.Also on Thursday, Saanich Police reported that officers responded to a call of a person with a firearm, only to find out it was a lighter. “Our officers responded to the report of a person with a firearm this morning. It turned out to be a lighter that looked like a handgun,” stated Saanich Police. While these are not illegal, Saanich Police is also encouraging the public to leave replicas at home, as each time there is a report of a firearm, it receives a “priority response” from police. “A reminder to the public that all firearms calls create an elevated risk to the public and require a priority response from police. They must be treated as real until proven otherwise. Replicas pose a serious risk to the public, those that carry them and the officers responding,” Saanich Police said.Over the past few years, police departments say they have seen a rise in reports of firearms that turn out to be replica firearms. The replicas range from airsoft guns, bb guns, pellet guns and even lighters.VicPD described the response as a “resource-intensive, high-priority response” due to the number of bystanders in the mall creating a high-risk situation. In January 2024, Victoria Police officers seized six imitation firearms in two days while responding to calls for service. However, VicPD said officers seized an average of two real or imitation firearms per week in Victoria and Esquimalt. In 2023, VicPD officers say they seized 97 real and 42 imitation firearms, noting a 73-per cent increase in real firearms over 2022.In 2023, Saanich police responded to a report of three men walking through a shopping centre with what turned out to be replica handguns in their waistbands. That same year, VicPD seized an air softgun and required resources of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team to respond to a report of an armed break and enter. Following arrests, the handgun was determined to be a “realistic airsoft gun,” said Victoria Police. In 2021, VicPD responded to multiple reports of replica guns. In one incident, the replica was used to threaten a staff service provider. In another incident, police found and seized a replica machine gun. Between January and August of 2020, VicPD said officers attended to 59 files involving replica firearms. While police noted replica firearms aren’t illegal, they can cause panic in the community when they’re visible.December 20, 2024: Man with replica handgun arrested at gunpoint in VictoriaAugust 10, 2024: Lighter mistaken for firearm garners large police response in Oak BayFebruary 16, 2023: Adult, two youth arrested for firing imitation gun at pedestrian: Saanich Police
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