Whether an imitation is used, or the real thing, charges related to threats made using firearms carry the same penalty.
The RNC was responding to a recent incident in which a fake gun was pointed at a man out for a stroll in the capital city’s downtown Monday night.
The accused, who was known to police, was already prohibited from possessing firearms.
RNC Constable James Cadigan says even though a fake firearm can’t shoot, having one pointed at you has the same effect as a real one.
A fake gun seized by the Ontario Provincial Police in an incident in Trenton in 2022 (OPP)
The purpose and intent of using a fake firearm is the same according to Cadigan and that is to cause fear, or intimidate someone.
Cadigan says it can be almost impossible for a victim, or a police officer, to determine the difference between a fake or real gun in the heat of the moment.
“If you look at cases where we’ve done seizures of drugs and weapons over the years, we are seizing imitation firearms in those situations. So it goes to show that the criminal element is using imitation weapons to intimidate, and of course it’s likely cheaper and easier to access an imitation weapon.”
