Sawed-off guns seized in Lumby

LUMBY – Following the seizure of two sawed-off firearms, RCMP are reminding the public why they're illegal.

Lumby Cpl. Henry Proce says  sawing off the barrel of a firearm causes it to lose its accuracy. With a regular gun, the projectile goes where the barrel is aimed.

"When you saw it off, you lose the accuracy. (The gun) becomes unpredictable and even more dangerous," Proce says.

Which is why four individuals were confronted by police July 9 on a rural forest service road after a "sharp-eyed" witness reported they were using sawed-off rifles.

"Discussions with the four people located a sawed off .22 calibre rifle and a shotgun, both were seized," Proce says. "Once the barrels are shortened, the firearms become prohibited weapons."

One of the men eventually accepted ownership of the weapons and faces a firearms charge under the criminal code.  The driver of the vehicle was issued a 24 hour suspension as she was under the influence of marijuana.

Proce says individuals often saw their guns off for easier concealment.

"You can slip them down a pant leg, they become much more portable," he says.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston