A 63-year-old man is facing numerous firearms charges after B.C.’s gang task force allegedly seized an arsenal of almost 200 rifles and handguns from his Tatla Lake home last week.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at the home on Aug. 23 and retrieved 183 guns of various makes, models and calibers, as well as illegal over-capacity magazines and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition.
“Many of these guns are capable of firing rounds that could pass through vehicles, doors, walls and even body armour. This is an unacceptable risk to the public and the police,” said CFSEU spokesman Sgt. Lindsey Houghton.
There were AR-type rifles, SKS semi-automatic rifles and handguns among the haul. Police said some of the larger weapons are difficult to control, and would present a higher risk for collateral damage were a criminal to fire one in public.
Investigators haven’t determined how the guns came into Canada, and there is currently nothing linking the cache to gang activity.
Authorities do believe the weapons would have ended up in the hands of gangsters and other violent offenders eventually, however.
“It appears that these guns and ammunition were destined to be sold to the highest bidder,” Houghton said.
The homeowner was arrested and is being held in custody. He has no criminal record and his name will not be released unless Crown approves charges against him.
