Mounties are advising the public that brandishing replica firearms may result in seizure, criminal charges, or other enforcement action.
Police say those actions depend on the circumstances surrounding the use of airsoft, pellet, BB, or toy guns that are designed to resemble real firearms.
RCMP recently charged a 29-year-old resident of Red Deer following a call of an alleged assault during the afternoon hours on February 3rd. It happened on the Gaetz Avenue Service Road and the victim reported being shot at close range with an airsoft gun and he required medical attention for non-life threatening injuries.
Police were told by the victim that he did not know the suspect and the incident was believed to be random in nature. Unique belongings connected to the suspect led Red Deer RCMP to make an arrest in the downtown area the following day.
The suspect was released with conditions and has a court date in Red Deer slated for March 4th. The list of charges includes assault causing bodily harm, discharging an airgun with intent to wound, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, forgery, failure to comply with a release order, possession of an identity document, and possession of a prohibited firearm.
