Police responded to a Guelph mall after reports that a man was “showing off” what appeared to be a gun.
Guelph police said they were called around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to Stone Road Mall. People told police a man was lifting his sweater to show what they believed was a black pistol tucked in his waistband.
The press release from officials notes that this happened twice during a dispute between groups of friends.
Several officers found the groups and quickly found the suspect, where they recovered a pellet gun.
A 19-year-old is facing a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. He’s expected to appear in court in June.
Guelph police highlighted in the release that “replica firearms can cause concern in the community.”
Officers will respond to calls and must assume the item is a real firearm until proven otherwise.
Replica firearms are a problem in Waterloo Region
Waterloo Regional Police Service said there was an influx of replica guns popping up across the area, something officers noted first increased in 2020.
During the first year of the pandemic, police in the municipality seized 172 replica or imitation firearms. The number has fluctuated in both directions in the years following.
“With the increase of accessibility from retail stores and online shopping, replica firearms are not difficult to obtain. Technology also provides an option with the increase in 3D printed products,” Constable Chris Iden, said in a statement. “A challenge is making the public aware that the actions of the individual determine if the replica is being used in an offence.”
Replica and imitation firearms can include water guns, BB pistols and rifles, along with paintball guns, pellet guns, and even replicas made from television shows, movies, video games, and more.
