RCMP say they will start returning guns seized in homes evacuated during flood

HIGH RIVER, Alta. – Mounties in Alberta say they’ll begin returning some of the guns they seized during searches of evacuated homes in High River.

An RCMP news release says that owners of guns that were seized should call police, and that an officer will call them back to make arrangements to have the weapons picked up.

The Mounties said earlier that they took the guns as officers searched homes in High River’s flood zone to look for flood victims, pets and anything that might pose a threat to returning residents.

An RCMP official said any guns removed from homes were not properly stored.

The move was condemned by the office of Prime Minister Harper, who said the Mounties should focus on more important tasks such as protecting lives and private property.