Air-Powered Guns

Over the summer, the Calgary Police Service has responded to a number of reports of firearms, which turn out to be air-powered guns. Police are reminding owners of air-powered guns to be aware of how they are used and transported.

BB, pellet, and Airsoft guns are often made to imitate real firearms and are so realistic looking, they are easily mistaken by the public as the real thing. Although a balanced approach is the aim when responding to a call involving a potential firearm, public and officer safety is a priority and often necessitate a large amount of resources until the weapon is confirmed to be a replica.

“When the public calls us with concerns of a firearm being seen, or used, in a public place, we must respond as though it is real, which often requires a significant police presence involving a number of our units such as patrol, HAWCs, K9, and TAC,” says Inspector Mike Tillotson. “However, we still encourage people to report any potential sightings of firearms. Real or air powered, they pose a concern for public safety. Stray ammunition can easily cause real harm or damage to people, pets or property.”

In Calgary it is a bylaw offence to fire any weapon within city limits, including on your own property. It is also against city bylaws to transport an air-powered gun with a round of ammunition in the chamber.

These guns can be used at approved shooting ranges within the city, as well as outside city limits providing permission has been obtained from the private land owner and in accordance with proper handling and safety procedures.

Laws Surrounding Air-Powered Guns

Majority of BB, pellet, and Airsoft guns are not firearms as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada, or the firearms act.
However, any gun or replica thereof, used in an offence, is considered to be a firearm and treated as such under the criminal code.
It is a bylaw offence to fire any weapon within city limits, including on your own property.
It is against city bylaws to transport an air-powered gun with a round of ammunition in the chamber.

To demonstrate the difficulty in identifying a real firearm from an air-powered one, the media are invited to attend a demonstration at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013. Details of the availability location will be sent in a separate media advisory.