March 12, 2007
yorkregion.com

Politicians call for ban on fake gun sales

Richmond Hill - The police or the town's bylaw office?
With news of a major multi-agency bust of replica firearms in Markham last week, Richmond Hill -- which aims to become York Region's first community to ban fake guns -- continues to wrestle with how best to deal with which agency is best to seize them when they're found.

"You take them off the shelf whose jurisdiction are they?" Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow said of the ongoing discussion.

The purpose of the bylaw would be to outlaw the sale of the phony guns within the town.

Mr. Barrow, who also sits as chairperson of York's police services board, hopes a ban will eventually be implemented in every community across the region.

"We have to license people to sell cigarettes," he said. "We wouldn't give a permit to people selling replica guns."

Last Thursday and Friday, York Regional Police, working in partnership with the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit and the Canada Border Services Agency seized 60 replicas from a hobby shop in Pacific Mall and homes on Prince Regent Street and Frisby Court in Markham.

The replicas were imported from Japan and seized after undercover officers made purchases from the hobby shop, York Regional Police Det. Tony Emmerson said, standing amid a display of the handguns and rifles during a news conference in Markham Thursday.

"Quite frankly, I think they sold to whoever walked in," Det. Emmerson said, adding the undercover officers made it clear they had "criminal intent" when buying. "I'd like to see a lot stricter legislation in regards to this stuff."

While prices on replicas fluctuate depending on supply and demand, the weapons involved in the Pacific Mall case went for $500 to $600.

Replicas such as those seized last week are often used for theatrical purposes, Det. Emmerson said.

Selling them without the proper licence is a crime in this country.

Toys, such as water guns, don't fit the criteria because they are not manufactured to the same size, colour and appearance of real weapons as are replicas, provincial weapons enforcement unit Det. Insp. Steve Clegg said.

Replicas can also potentially aggravate an already tense situation on the streets, York police Insp. Paul Pedersen said.

"When officers are faced with one of these weapons, they must make split-second decisions on what type of weapon they're being faced with," he said. "We believe gun culture is a complex problem and that there is no simple solution to this."

Police have launched an awareness program in high schools to educate young people about replicas and the criminal offences related to their use which is meeting with some success, Insp. Petersen added.

"York Regional Police is committed to enforcement, bringing down the offenders that continue to prey on public fear by distributing these (replicas)," he said.

Kwok Cheung Pong, 32, Kelvin Cheung, 29, of Markham and Yui Chung Kwok, 27, of Richmond Hill face numerous weapons charges in connection with the case.

All three have been released from custody and are expected to be back in a Newmarket court on March 30.

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