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By Abby Zieverink

Replica firearm safety

Airsoft guns and BB guns, ‘are not toys’: Grande Prairie RCMP

Aug 14, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie RCMP is warning people that that replica firearms, BB guns, and airsoft guns are not toys.

This after RCMP say they responded to multiple complaints in June and July, regarding misuse of replica firearms in the city.

Grande Prairie RCMP Sgt. Shawn Graham says in some of the occurrences, they were used in a way, posing a threat to the public.

“We had a number of complaints that involved BB guns, airsoft guns, and replica firearms. A couple of those were a discharge of those items towards animals and within the city limits.”

Graham says discharging, manipulating, and carrying these items poses a threat to the public, noting that these should not be taken out in public.

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“Along with safety risks, there is certainly Criminal Code of Canada charges, as well as bylaws, for discharging the BB guns, airsoft guns, and replica firearms within the city limits.”

Graham says because of how real these replica firearms look, they are treated as real firearms until proven otherwise.

“They are not toys, and nobody knows if they are real or not. They look so real these days, they are tough to tell them apart.”

“We have to respond like it is a real firearm, and depending on the situation, we may get there and just educate the person as to what the public would be seeing and why they would be calling the police.”

Graham suggests using replica firearms, airsoft guns, and BB guns at approved places with the appropriate backings only. He adds transporting them out of view of the public is the best thing to do.

“Like in a locked case so nobody can have access to it just so it is being transported properly and not going to be seen by the public, (and) considered a safety concern.”

Graham suggests reported complaints of discharging replica firearms, BB guns, and airsoft guns are higher in the spring and summer months.