Border Services probe nets 800 illegal replica guns, 78 criminal charges

[Drache]

Originally Posted by surebet

Ive gotten that damn thing about 4 times already today.....

[The Saint]

Originally Posted by Drake

But the fact remains that ownership or acquiring parts and accessories isn't illegal, and I doubt they're on a crusade against the Canadian airsofting community.

The question is whether they know it's legal or not. If they follow CFC's lead, CBSA would think that the acquisition and possession of replicas are illegal.

Now, if they want to the legality of replica firearm for individuals in front of a judge, they can. Good odds we'll come out on top.

[Drache]

Originally Posted by The Saint

The question is whether they know it's legal or not. If they follow CFC's lead, CBSA would think that the acquisition and possession of replicas are illegal.

Now, if they want to the legality of replica firearm for individuals in front of a judge, they can. Good odds we'll come out on top.

You know as much as that would suck, it might actually help the sport, have a judge state airsoft are just toys and not illegal

[mcguyver]

Nice thought Drake, but all the gun-fearing voters hear is " Blah, blah... 800 guns siezed...blah, blah...charges laid" and their vote follows them straight to the polls.

I mean, Canada is much safer when those illegal replica guns are off the street and those involved are punished.

Perception means far more than actual results.

[The Saint]

Anyone notice the emphasis on handguns? They could've emphasis how sinister all them black rifles are, but they didn't. Unless the people charged were importing just pistols for a good while, which they probably weren't, one wonders why the emphasis on pistols, rather than across the board evil military guns?

[Bowers]

theres a discussion of this on CGN heres a comment

"They seized about 10 to 15, from the store. Where the number 800 comes from I don't know. It took 2 years to process the paperwork and charges, no wonder we have a border like a sieve. All airsoft and all sold to airsoft players. You can get the same thing in clear plastic damm near anywhere.

Nice hype in the story though."

so where does the number 800 come from?

[ColtFarmer]

The game is STILL ON. jesus.

[Shrapnel[Op-For]]

I'll never understand why a kid (with a parent) could easily choose from large variety of pellet guns that could potentially severally harm someone MUCH more than an airsoft gun ever could. BUT if he wanted an airsoft gun that shoots 250 fps, it would be harder to get a hold of because it looks real.



Oh and by the way... ever notice that airsoft is spell checked as a typo even though this is an airsoft site?.... OH NO SECRET SPY TAMPERING WITH THE SERVER?

[ShortCut]

Originally Posted by TCSF-Bowers

theres a discussion of this on CGN heres a comment

"They seized about 10 to 15, from the store. Where the number 800 comes from I don't know. It took 2 years to process the paperwork and charges, no wonder we have a border like a sieve. All airsoft and all sold to airsoft players. You can get the same thing in clear plastic damm near anywhere.

Nice hype in the story though."

so where does the number 800 come from?

Yeah, 800 seems like a bit too many don't you think?

[matt491]

lol.....willie wong......

[Drache]

Originally Posted by 'Shrapnel[Op-For

Oh and by the way... ever notice that airsoft is spell checked as a typo even though this is an airsoft site?.... OH NO SECRET SPY TAMPERING WITH THE SERVER?

Does that to me no matter what forums Im on...

[Drake]

Originally Posted by The Saint

Anyone notice the emphasis on handguns? They could've emphasis how sinister all them black rifles are, but they didn't. Unless the people charged were importing just pistols for a good while, which they probably weren't, one wonders why the emphasis on pistols, rather than across the board evil military guns?

Probably because the replica guns being used in crimes or otherwise found in the possession of local street gangs are cheap handguns. In terms of replicas, "cheap handguns" are probably the main offender. If nothing else, the people using them are doing so because they can't afford a real "gat" [lol, I had to], so they probably wont dump $1200 for an M249.

Besides, that's pretty hard to conceal in your track pants.

...Specially with the 200 round box attached. :P

Originally Posted by The Saint

The question is whether they know it's legal or not. If they follow CFC's lead, CBSA would think that the acquisition and possession of replicas are illegal.

Now, if they want to the legality of replica firearm for individuals in front of a judge, they can. Good odds we'll come out on top.

Ownership itself is pretty much explicitly defined as being allowed, it's the transfer (or rather the unlicensed transfer) which is illegal.

As far as parts and accessories, as I recall the tariff stated they were legal, but regardless they've been consistently allowed for import (full inspection, etc). Only receivers are being restricted.

My point on that, with regard to my previous post, is you can't just agree something is legal and let people import it and then turn around, change your mind and criminalize them overnight without warning.

Plus you have issues like the PTW (which someone even commented about a few posts up): they ship with enough power to qualify as airguns. But we have upgrade AEGs that could probably qualify, too: it'd be a quagmire to prosecute the average owner.

[LouisZimmerman]

Originally Posted by The Saint

Anyone notice the emphasis on handguns? They could've emphasis how sinister all them black rifles are, but they didn't. Unless the people charged were importing just pistols for a good while, which they probably weren't, one wonders why the emphasis on pistols, rather than across the board evil military guns?

I believe this to be media bias, although it may be un-intentional... ;->
IMNSHO, handguns have never been perceived as belonging in public hands (except by gun owners.) It is far easier for J. Q. Public to accept private ownership of long guns, as they are legitimate for use in hunting and pest control. I believe that this is at least in part due to Canada NOT having a recent history of private side-arm carry, which is unfortunate: there are many instances where a side-arm is much preferable for predator or pest control. If one has a predator/pest situation on the farm for instance, it's much easier to carry a side arm when doing one's chores than it is a rifle (although it must be admitted that for some varmints, such as coyotes, a long-range weapon is a must).
(Deep Breath)
As a result, handguns are seen as anti-personnel weapons only, and therefore the 'most evil' of all firearms. (This and the ease with which they can be concealed.) If one wants to elevate public concern, one mentions handgun(s).
(Pre-post edit: after re-reading your post, I too now wonder why the 'military weapons' thing didn't come up. Perhaps the law enforcement report did not contain synonyms that were recognized by the media?)
Louis

The above are just my opinions. I am not in journalism or law enforcement, nor do I play such roles on television.

[CanKam]

Keep your Airsoft launchers locked but not loaded, and be sure you don't masturbate for awhile, just incase.

We never know how odd a police raid can be...

Key quote:
Relax and smell the roses
(this being metaphorical for you pansies out there)

[Dirtbag]

It was a CUSTOMS seizure not police, this is not firearms or police event this is customs catching people breaking their import license. It has nothing to do with anything else, it could have been sheet metal, but you don't hear that in the news.