After a string of brazen shootings in British Columbia, the provincial government is cracking down on gangs with more police, prosecutors and jails.

The seven-point plan will dedicate 168 police officers and 10 prosecutors to fighting gangs, spend $185 million dollars to expand jail space and outlaw armoured vehicles and body armour.

Satellite anti-gang units will also be set up in Kelowna and Prince George.

In addition, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell says the government will target gang members for carrying weapons and evading taxes, increase reward money and open a gang hotline.

News of the crackdown comes after the provincial government released an independent report titled The Illegal Movement of Firearms in British Columbia.

While pledging to work towards implementing all of the report's recommendations, the provincial government said it is moving immediately on four key areas.

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They include the establishment of a provincial weapons enforcement unit that will take an aggressive approach to investigating crimes and incidents involving illegal guns.

Work will also begin immediately to begin the transfer of responsibility for administering the Canadian firearms program from the federal to the provincial government.

As well, provincial officials will demand an immediate review of the province's current licensing, auditing and inspection procedures to prevent the issuance of large numbers of single multi-purpose business licences, especially in relation to theatrical (prop-master) licences.

Meanwhile, the Province will examine whether to limit the number of businesses supplying firearms for movie industry use, and the inventory prop-masters can have.

Restrictions needed on the number of licences granted

A statement released by the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General said police are concerned about the privileges awarded to these types of businesses and have identified several cases where these privileges have been abused and resulted in firearms trafficking.

The province said restrictions are needed on the number of licences granted for this particular activity, which can be done under current legislation.

The province is also promising to provide more resources to ensure the CFO reflects B.C.'s priorities by providing sufficient staff to combat illegal guns, including more rigorous and timely investigations.

Meanwhile, the B.C.-commissioned report is recommending that the Province take leadership by committing to a comprehensive strategy.

It urges police and other agencies to adopt a strong commitment to tracing of firearms and take an aggressive approach to investigation and enforcement.

It says the Province should implement a policy that in possession of firearms offences, all matters, absent exceptional circumstances, proceed by way of indictment.

In addition, it says the Province should establish specialized Crown counsel positions to deal with firearms matters.

With files from The Canadian Press