Improvised firearms becoming more of a concern for Edmonton police
Posted April 1, 2022 10:51 am.
The reality of replica and improvised firearms is becoming more apparent in Edmonton.
In two separate incidents, Edmonton Police officers have killed suspects who had replica weapons. Both incidents took place a month apart.
A replica gun was found near an armed robbery suspect killed in February. Then last Friday, investigators found two improvised guns and one modified replica firearm after a police-involved shooting in downtown Edmonton.
READ MORE:
- Makeshift firearms recovered from police-involved shooting in downtown Edmonton
- Man killed in police shooting that left innocent man dead had fake gun: ASIRT
“What we’re seeing out there as well, individuals are converting imitation firearms to real firearms,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Stewart with Edmonton Police Service.
The day before Friday’s shooting, Edmonton police said they were seizing more air guns.
“Dealing with some of these firearms, whether it’s imitation at the end and at the time we just don’t know. This is occurring across the country and in the U.S. as well.”
CityNews spoke with the owner of a Calgary gun range, who says you don’t need much to make a cheap one-shot gun.
“If you can hold this in a pipe, and find something to strike the end, you’ve now created a firearm,” explained J.R. Cox, owner of the Shooting Edge.
One of the potential improvised firearms located at the scene. (Photo courtesy Edmonton Police Service)
One of the potential improvised firearms located at the scene. (Photo courtesy Edmonton Police Service)
“When I saw the pictures from Edmonton of that pipe gun, some people I know who are not gun experts kind of scoffed and said ‘That’s not a gun, obviously the police officers should have known better.’ I’m like, ‘100 per cent no,'” added Cox. “If someone points this at you or at a police officer, you wouldn’t know the difference.”
Even if air guns are legal to own, there are laws and bylaws around publicly carrying one. Using an air gun for crime will land you the same charges as if the gun were real.
For Cox, he has a theory on why we are seeing more improvised or replica guns in crime.
“It’s becoming harder and harder to get firearms because the people who own them are taking care of them. They are not on the street, so people have to go and find pipe material to make one.”
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating both incidents.
