‘Extremely tense’: Kelowna RCMP officer draws weapon during traffic stop

Two different men – one in Kelowna and another in Penticton – found themselves in trouble with the RCMP yesterday because of real looking pellet guns.

Around noon yesterday, April 19, in Kelowna, an “alert” officer who was driving north on Highway 97 near Old Vernon Road noticed the driver of an older Jeep Compass kept staring down into his lap, according to an RCMP media release.

The Jeep was pulled over and as the officer approached he saw what looked like a hand gun in the centre console. The officer pulled out his gun and arrested the driver – a local 30-year-old man who’s known to police.

When the Jeep was searched, the weapon was determined to be a replica Airsoft handgun. Also found inside the vehicle were break-in tools and stolen property including pieces of identification and mail box keys.

“This was an extremely tense situation,” RCMP Const. Troy Bevan said in the release. “This firearm was designed and was being used specifically to mimic the real thing. I would like to thank all of the nearby motorists for their co-operation and their adherence to safety during this incident.”

The man was arrested for possession of weapons. He was prohibited from driving and is also facing multiple other charges under both the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act and Canadian Criminal Code. He has been released from custody with conditions and his vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Around the same time in Penticton – the afternoon of April 19 – a man allegedly displayed a firearm as he was exiting the Canadian Tire on Railway Street, according to an RCMP media release.

The man was still in the parking lot when police arrived and he was arrested.

The 31-year-old agreed to hand over his new pellet gun to police, which he had just purchased from the store, and police will not be charging him.

“After a stern warning… the individual agreed to relinquish the firearm," RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy said in the release.

“These firearms, whether replica or air powered, are so intricately designed, making it difficult for the public or responding officers to distinguish them from real ones. Therefore, exhibiting or utilizing them in public spaces poses considerable risk, and is prohibited.”

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