Cpl. Cheryl Bush holds up two photos to demonstrate the similarities between a real 9mm gun (left) and a replica BB gun (right).
(GLYNN BROTHEN / iNFOnews.ca)
June 17, 2014 - 11:41 AM
KAMLOOPS – After responding to a complaint of a man waving around a gun, police are recommending charges against three men arrested Monday afternoon at an Upper Sahali residence.
The resident, a 46-year-old man, was arrested after RCMP received a report of a drunk man with a handgun. The gun looked like a 9mm but turned out to be a replica BB gun.
The initial complaint police received stated the man with the gun was intoxicated. Cpl. Cheryl Bush, a spokesperson for the RCMP says he was not under the influence upon arrest.
Police are recommending a charge of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose against the BB gun owner. The fake gun caused fear in the community and drew a police response.
“In situations like this (replicas) can be perceived as real firearms,” Bush said in a press conference earlier today.
“It’s concerning because had this individual presented this weapon in the presence of police, things could have escalated.“
RCMP members also arrested a 41-year-old male in possession of a stun gun and a 40-year-old male with a substance suspected to be cocaine.
A woman was also taken into custody, but later released.
Bush said the three men will appear in court next week.
To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014