OPP West Region says it has a worrying number of air guns and replica firearms now in police possession after being taken from individuals who may have used them in the commission of a crime.
According to data shared by OPP, an average of one replica firearm was taken into West Region police possession per day in 2024. That marks a 58 per cent increase from 2020, when 230 replica firearms were seized.
"The use of air guns and replica firearms to commit crimes can lead to serious consequences because they're considered to be firearms under the Criminal Code if they're to threaten, intimidate or commit an offence," said Sgt. Ed Sanchuk. "Anyone who uses an air gun or replica firearm to commit a crime could face the same penalties under the Criminal Code as someone who uses a regular firearm."
Not only are the punishments the same for those that use air guns or replicas to commit a crime, there is also a risk to the user, as they are designed to look like the real thing.
"Officers are trained to treat armed individuals as a significant public safety risk until proven otherwise," said Sgt. Sanchuk.
To learn more about regulations for air guns and replica firearms, visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police website.