OPP West Region is seeing more cases of people using air guns and replica firearms to commit crimes. These fake weapons can look very real, making it hard for victims and police officers to tell the difference in dangerous situations.
Air guns and replica firearms can have serious consequences if used to threaten or commit a crime. Under the Criminal Code, using these fake weapons in a crime can lead to the same penalties as using a real gun. This includes charges for serious crimes like robbery, assault, or kidnapping, which can result in a minimum of one year in prison on top of the sentence for the main offence.
Chief Superintendent Dwight Thib, Commander of OPP West Region, says that using fake guns in crimes is dangerous for both the person committing the crime and the public. Officers must treat anyone armed with a weapon as a serious threat until they know for sure it isn’t real.
Photos and data about the air guns and replica firearms taken by the OPP in recent incidents have been shared to raise awareness about this growing problem. The OPP reminds the public that these fake weapons are not toys and can lead to real and serious legal consequences.
“An individual who uses an imitation firearm to commit crimes like kidnapping, robbery or sexual assault could face a mandatory minimum penalty of one year in prison upon conviction. This sentence must be added on to the sentence for the main offence. Using replica and air guns in a crime isn’t safe for the user or the public.” – Chief Superintendent Dwight Thib/OPP West Region Commander
Written by: K. Milhomens