News release
Yukon RCMP warn the public about the dangers of realistic looking firearms
June 12, 2025
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The Yukon, Yukon
From: Yukon RCMP
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Yukon RCMP is seeing a concerning trend with an increase of incidents involving realistic looking firearms, and is once again raising public awareness of this issue.
On June 10, 2025 officers with Carmacks Detachment responded to a call for service and when they attended a residence, the person opened the door suddenly and pointed a firearm at the officers. Police officers responded swiftly and appropriately, successfully de-escalating the situation. It was determined that the firearm pointed at officers was a very realistic pellet gun.
In real world situations, especially during high-stress incidents, police officers often have seconds - sometime even less - to make decisions. When an air soft, pellet gun, or even a toy gun, looks exactly like a real gun, it becomes a threat in the eyes of anyone who sees it. That includes law enforcement, store employees, neighbors and other members of the public. If it looks real, it will be treated as real. If it is a realistic looking firearm, and it is used in the commission of an offence, the penalties are the same as if it was a real firearm.
“Replica firearms present a clear threat to public safety. Realistic looking firearms are not toys. Possessing or brandishing a replica firearm in public is not only dangerous; it may also lead to criminal charges or fatal outcomes. We are urging people to take this seriously. The consequences are real, and they are irreversible. - Staff Sergeant Eric Lane, Acting Criminal Operations Officer
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Whitehorse RCMP make arrests following reports of firearm | Royal Canadian Mounted Police