Despite extensive media coverage about not carrying replica firearms in public, an early Halloween reveller caused a concern for the Lake Country police.
On Sunday afternoon, an individual dressed as a mafia gangster entered the McDonald’s on Highway 97.
“He had a gun visible and tucked into in his waistband,” said Cst. Kris Clark.
“When police arrived, the pistol was seized and found to be an air soft gun.”
The man was released without charges, but police would have bene within their authority to recommend charges.
“When police receive complaints about firearms, they have a duty to intervene accordingly, based on the information received,” said Clark.
“This presents a great challenge to the police as they must respond appropriately, to ensure public safety and that of the responding officers, all the while mindful that the gun seen may not be real. There is always the real possibility that a police officer may perceive a deadly threat and respond with irreversible consequences.”
Appropriate safety measures should always be taken when using firearms, air soft guns, pellet guns, paintball guns or anything that may be perceived to be a firearm.
“When transported in a vehicle, they should be secured in cases in the trunk and not handled by vehicle occupants,” said Clark.
“Most importantly, they should only be used in designated areas only (gun club ranges, paintball ranges, etc).”