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Prosecutions and Seizures
Quebec Region
Replica firearms and prohibited weapons seized at the border and at various businesses in the Montréal region
Montréal, Quebec, November 3, 2005 - Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers seized over 100 prohibited weapons and replica firearms during search warrants executed at two flea market kiosks and at a business in Montréal in the last week. The seized goods were destined for sale in the Montreal region. Some items were available over the counter, while other items were found hidden behind the ceiling tiles of the business.
The search warrants were the result of a recent, significant seizure at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing, where almost 200 undeclared prohibited devices and weapons were discovered. Criminal charges regarding smuggling and possession of prohibited devices and weapons are pending.
Replica firearms: far from harmless
The Criminal Code and the Customs Act prohibit the importation of replica firearms. These imitations often have the appearance of genuine firearms and can result in harmful consequences for the public. Furthermore, the firing mechanisms of toy guns or replica firearms can function in a way similar to genuine firearms when pressure is applied to the trigger.
Recent events serve as a reminder that replica firearms should not be regarded as harmless toys. Imitation firearms have often been used in kidnapping cases, hold-ups and in incidents requiring police interventions. These imitation firearms can be easily mistaken for genuine firearms, consequently putting lives in danger. Despite the prohibited status of these imitation firearms, certain businesses in the metropolitan region have these items in their inventory and offer them to prospective clients as toys.
With the approaching holiday season, the CBSA would like to warn the public that certain replica firearms are illegal in Canada and should not be offered as gifts to anyone. The CBSA is determined to combat the illegal importation of firearms and prohibited devices into Canada. Each year, hundreds of firearms and prohibited devices are confiscated at various points of entry across Canada. These interventions help to keep our communities safe and secure.
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