Vic PD responded to 4 separate calls regarding replica firearms in under 5 hours on Saturday, March 23rd.
At 2 pm, officers were called to the 900 block of Pandora Avenue after a woman was seen with a firearm. She was carrying an airsoft pistol and was safely arrested.
At 6:20, officers were dispatched to the area of Tyee Road and Bay Street, where a man was reportedly pointing a firearm at a business, though the suspect could not be located.
Then shortly before 6:30, somebody observed two men with handguns in the 200-block of Simcoe Street. Officers located two youths in the area, carrying a toy gun. The youth were warned about the serious of their actions, because according to the witness, they were pointing the toy at a bystander.
Around 6:40, Victoria Fire was dealing with a medical call in the 1200 block of Wharf Street when they located a firearm. Officers arrived on the scene, and determined that the firearm was actually a replica. The replica was seized by Vic PD officers.
Officers have just a split second to react to a firearm, as each call has to be treated as if it's a real gun. Officers are not recommending any chares, but Vic PD are asking people not to carry or produce any replica guns in public.