RCMP urge common sense with gifts
Because paintball rifles are often indistinguishable from the real thing, police have little choice but to assume the rifle is real. As a result, they must respond quickly to maintain public safety.
The RCMP urge common sense when buying a paintball rifle as a gift for someone. For example, it should not be carried on the street without putting it inside a suitable carrying case.
Last month, the report of two males wearing all camouflage gear and carrying a rifle in Port Coquitlam met with a robust police response. It also prompted a lockdown at a nearby school.
The males were tracked down moments later. The rifle was located and seized, and it turned out to be a paintball rifle.
“While there is nothing illegal about having a paintball rifle, carrying it ‘as is’ on the street is a very dangerous thing to do,” said Cpl. Jamie Chung. “Some paintball guns are very realistic looking. Even well-trained police officers who encounter someone carrying it on the street have a hard time telling if the gun is real or not.”
Live and learn
This holiday season, the RCMP remind people not to drink and drive, and not to use electronic devices while driving.
Police also urge people to lock their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight. Real grinches are always on the lookout for complacent shoppers.
