Playing with airsoft, pellet and BB guns may be an exciting and enticing activity for teens on summer break, but Edmonton police have issued a warning about the imitation guns.
The “Fake Gun, Real Danger” safety campaign aims to educate youth about the dangers of playing with imitation guns in public places like neighbourhoods, parks, and malls.
Complaints involving fake guns have spiked in recent years.
WATCH: Edmonton police educate youth on fake guns dangers. Flecther Kent has more.
Police said imitation guns were involved in approximately 1,160 Edmonton Police Service (EPS) files in 2014, ranging from mischief to weapons complaints to serious crimes. In 2015, imitation guns were involved in nearly 1,600 investigations — an increase of 38 per cent in just one year. Edmonton police said fake gun files typically rise over the summer months, especially in July.
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“Police take firearms complaints very seriously due to the threat to public and officer safety, and will respond with appropriate resources, tactics and level of force,” said Const. Chapman Lee, who was involved in two incidents within a week.
“Just this spring, we had a community college on lockdown because a young man was seen carrying a rifle with a scope nearby, which later turned out to be a pellet gun.
“Sometimes people make mistakes, but if it looks like a gun, it’s treated like a gun by police.”
Fake guns have been involved in numerous police shootings and close calls across North America. Of the 23 officer-involved shootings investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) in 2014 and 2015, four involved imitation guns. Two of the incidents resulted in death, while the other two resulted in serious injuries.
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As part of the “Fake Gun, Real Danger” public education campaign, police plan to release a series of provocative public service announcements. They were developed with help from the airsoft community, retailers, parents, the city’s school boards, and officers from the EPS and the RCMP.
“Airsoft is a lot of fun to play and attracts a large community of players,” said Ben Holliday, instructor at Capital Airsoft Indoor Battleground.
“We take the extra time to talk to our customers about the safe and responsible use of airsoft guns and these materials will help us get the message across, especially with young adults tempted to play with their guns in nearby neighbourhoods or parks.”
Police warn that people using an imitation gun in public can be fined, arrested or charged with the same penalties as someone who uses a real firearm.
Airsoft guns often look like real firearms, but often use compressed air or springs to fire plastic pellets, as opposed to firearms that are powered by gunpowder-filled metal bullets.
Imitation gun safety tips from Edmonton police:
- Never play with an imitation gun in public places such as malls, parks or schools.
- Use air gun imitations only at designated play areas, gun ranges or on private land outside of the city.
- Do not point an imitation gun at another person, even if you are joking.
- Handle air gun imitations with care to avoid injuries, and consider taking a safety class.
- Set rules for children playing with imitation guns so they understand the dangers of misusing them.
- Keep imitation guns out of sight and locked in a case to prevent misunderstandings, accidents or theft.
- If you are carrying an imitation gun and are approached by police, put the gun down and obey their instructions.
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