Firearms dealer faces multiple charges

News — 22 December 2010

Following a raid on a Park Cres. home in Dryden, pictured are the firearms and ammunition seized from a local, licensed gun dealer at his Dryden home by DPS.

On Mon., Dec. 13, the Dryden Police Service (DPS), with the assistance of the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, executed a public safety warrant for firearms on a home on Park Crescent in Dryden.

As a result of this joint investigation a 71-year old male of Dryden, a licensed firearms dealer, has been charged with careless storage of a non-restricted firearm, two counts of careless storage of a prohibited firearm, two counts of careless storage of a restricted firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, three counts of possession of a prohibited device, possession of an unregistered, non-restricted firearm and possession of an unregistered, restricted firearm.

Following a lengthy investigation stemming in Brandon, Manitoba, the 71-year old male along with another Dryden resident, aged 70, were arrested without incident at the Brandon Gun and Hobby Show on Sun., Dec. 12, 2010 for trafficking in spring-loaded knives which are prohibited.

Detective Rob Duttchen of the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) says the arrest in Brandon led to the seizure of over 100 firearms along with numerous prohibited knives, ammunition and cash from the two individuals who had reserved tables to be a part of the show.

Pictured is a small sampling of what was confiscated in Brandon. Photo by Ally Dunham

“With a seizure of that volume, we have to reconcile business records, sales records, and trace the origin of all the firearms, so until we’ve completely clarified which firearms we’ll be laying charges in relation to, and all the charges are laid against the individuals, we’re not going to be releasing their ages at this time,” says Duttchen.

RCMP say they should have all the paperwork sorted through by the end of the week, at which time charges will formally be laid and names will be released.

“There were firearms of every classification, non-restricted, restricted and prohibited, with various registration histories, or various inventory problems in relation to the business licensing,” says Duttchen. “We seized every class of firearm, almost every action of firearm imaginable.”

Both men were held in custody in Brandon overnight, but Duttchen says both of the accused were released inside of 24 hours.

“I can’t comment on his motivations, all I can tell you is he was actively selling them on this occasion and one other that we’ve identified, and it was a concern to us the volume of business being done, which necessitated our action.”

Duttchen gives credit to all other enforcement agencies for their coordination, and says that the inter-jurisdictional support was amazing from the Dryden Police Service as well as the Brandon Police Service.

By Ally Dunham

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