Crime Guns Steadily Seized

A warrant executed at a home in the Jones Ave. and Gerrard St. E. area on March 7 led to the seizure of an illegal loaded semi-automatic handgun and an arrest.

“The proliferation of guns on the streets is alarming and should have us all concerned,” said Superintendent Paul MacIntyre, who leads the Organized Crime Enforcement unit. “When I was a constable and seized an illegal handgun, officers came in off the street to see it. Now, it has become a far too common occurrence.”

A 40-year-old man is facing several charges, including possession of a loaded firearm.

So far this year, the Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force (IGGTF) has seized over two dozen illegal firearms.

“This is dangerous work,” noted MacIntyre. “The team that seized this gun seized another one two days later. This speaks to their dedication and hard work. But it is not just the IGGTF that are regularly making gun seizures. The Drug Squad, Hold-Up, Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) and other specialized units are seizing guns during their investigations along with Major Crime Unit and Primary Response Unit officers.

“Specialized units are often aware of the dangers they face when chasing these gunmen and prepare themselves accordingly. Unfortunately, our uniformed officers often deal with armed individuals at radio calls and vehicle stops and that puts them in a particularly vulnerable position when it is not obvious the people they are dealing with are armed. Our police officers are well trained and have to stay alert.”

From March 11 to 17 there were nine crime guns seized by Toronto police officers. Three of those charged with firearms had been released from detention on prior charges at the time of their arrest.