Ontario’s Peel Regional Police have seized 247 guns from January to July

Chief Jennifer Evans

PEEL Regional Police officers are working around the clock to crack down on gun violence and illegal gun possession. The majority of gun crimes being committed in Peel Region involve guns that were illegally obtained and possessed, say police.

“The increasing violent crime and the use of firearms is unacceptable.  Peel Regional Police have seized 247 guns this year and continue to do excellent work in removing them off the streets.  I have initiated a plan to add additional officers to front line to increase enforcement and want criminals to know that if you commit a crime in Peel then my officers will find you.  I encourage members of the community that if you know of anyone who has an illegal weapon then to call police or call Crime Stoppers,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans on Tuesday.

“In just over a week, our officers have laid nearly 80 firearm-related charges. During that same period, eight guns were taken off the street which we hope will help prevent further violent crime in our Region.”

The eight guns seized occurred in the following separate incidents:

  • Wednesday, August 15:  Officers seized two 9mm handguns as a result of a traffic stop in the area of Highway 50 and Bellchase Trail in Brampton. A 45-year-old man from Richmond Hill was charged.
  • Thursday, August 16: Officers attended a complaint of suspicious activity in the area of Flowertown Avenue and McLaughlin Road, Brampton. During investigation officers seized a shotgun from the trunk of a vehicle. Four men in their 20’s from Brampton were charged.
  • Tuesday, August 21: Officers seized a .22 caliber revolver as a result of a traffic stop in the area of Mclaughlin Road and Williams Parkway in Brampton. An 18-year-old man from Brampton was charged.
  • Friday, August 24: Officers seized a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum long barrel revolver as a result of an armed robbery in Mississauga. A 19-year-old man from Toronto was charged.
  • Friday August 24: Officers seized a 9mm semi-automatic handgun from a residence in the area of Chinguacousy Road and Queen Street, Brampton. A 34-year-old man from Brampton has been charged.
  • Saturday, August 25: Officers seized a Glock 22 .40 calibre handgun with a loaded magazine and a Blue Line Solutions .22 calibre firearm with loaded magazine as a result of a traffic stop in the area of Tomken Road and Steeles Avenue in Brampton. An 18-year-old man from Caledon and a 17-year-old man from Bolton were charged.

From January through the end of July 2018, Peel Regional Police officers seized 247 firearms off the streets of Brampton and Mississauga. In all of 2017, officers took 429 guns off the street.

As a service we are concerned about the escalation in gun violence, not only within our region, but across the entire Greater Toronto Area. Our Street Level Organized Crime Unit is dedicated full-time to investigating gun and gang-related activity, said police.

Police said they continue to engage with the community to ensure partnership and trust to ensure that community members know they can come to police with any information regarding gun violence. For those who wish to share information anonymously police encourage them to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting Peel Crime Stoppers at peelcrimestoppers.ca