Nanaimo RCMP responded to a call of a man loading a handgun in a parking lot that turned out to be a replica.
Police say reports of a man loading what appeared to be a 45 calibre handgun in Woodgrove Centre caused them to respond ‘in force’ on Friday. When they arrived they arrested a 22-year-old man and woman without incident, according to police.
After searching the man’s vehicle, police say they found a CO2 replica Remington 1875 revolver. Police learned the man had just purchased the replica gun and had “foolishly decided to take it out of its packaging and load it while in the parking lot”, according to police.
“Not only was it foolish to bring the firearm out in a parking lot, it was extremely dangerous,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien of Nanaimo RCMP. “His actions diverted officers from their regular duties, and prevented them from responding to other calls for service.”
The man was apologetic and handed over the replica firearm to officers, according to police. They say both he and the woman were released without charges but the firearm would be destroyed because of detachment policy.
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