Although Halloween is just around the corner, some gun-toting costumed individuals have caused concern recently.
Police were called to McDonalds in Lake Country after a man dressed as a mafia gangster was seen sleeping with a gun tucked in his waistband.
RCMP members seized the pistol, which was found to be an air soft gun. The Lake Country man was given a ride home and released without charges.
Later Sunday, a young man pointed a pistol at the clerk of a Dilworth Centre Mall store. No words were exchanged and the man put the gun away before continuing to shop.
He was arrested but the gun was determined to be a plastic Halloween prop; he was later released without charges—the gun will be destroyed.
According to Const. Kris Clark, both men could’ve faced firearms related charges.
“When police receive complaints about firearms, they have a duty to intervene accordingly, based on the information received,” said Clark.
“This presents a great challenge to the police as they must respond appropriately, to ensure public safety and that of the responding officers, all the while mindful that the gun seen may not be real.
“There is always the real possibility that a police officer may perceive a deadly threat and respond with irreversible consequences.”
Clark said appropriate safety measures should always be taken when using firearms, air soft guns, pellet guns, paintball guns or anything perceived to be a firearm.
“When transported in a vehicle, they should be secured in cases in the trunk and not handled by vehicle occupants.”
