Since the beginning of 2025, local law enforcement has said that the use of air guns in public spaces has increased, and that out of all of the reported incidents, half of them involved young Calgarians.
On June 24, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) headquarters hosted Staff Sergeants Chris Tudor and Sarah Roe, who warned residents of the risks posed by the spike they’ve seen in people carrying and discharging guns.
At minimum, Sgt. Tudor of the Firearms Investigative Unit said that the CPS responds to at least one incident a day that includes airsoft, pellet, and ball bearing — commonly referred to as BB — guns. Oftentimes, he said, in the context of threats, robberies, and carjackings.
“The realistic appearance of many air guns makes it nearly impossible to distinguish them from real firearms,” he said.
“These weapons can cause significant life-altering harm, and use of them can carry serious consequences.”
As stated in the Criminal Code of Canada, deploying a pistol that is manufactured using air or compressed gas with the intent or result of hurting another person is an offence punishable by imprisonment. Whether or not a gun is fired, Tudor said that the use of one outside of designated areas — paintball centres, for example — is alarming enough.
“These incidents can escalate quickly and will result in a serious response from police officers, who must treat every potential threat as real,” he said.
According to a news release published by the city, the CPS seized 333 air guns between January and May of this year. In comparison, the total number of guns seized for the entire duration of 2024 was 817.
Sgt. Roe of the Youth Education Unit said that in one single 24-hour period earlier this month, the CPS responded to eight separate incidents of adolescents using air guns. Since a firearms license is not required for purchase, she worries about the safety of public spaces.
“Young people may not fully understand how serious the consequences can be,” said Roe.
“These weapons are not toys, and what may seem like a game or a prank can quickly escalate to a serious situation.”
Despite the weapons being unregulated, Calgary bylaw defines the firing of any gun within city limits, including on personal property, as illegal. With air guns being a popular leisure activity, Roe said that many youth have a blurred perspective on what differentiates harmless fun and danger.
“Air guns should be used only in a safe and controlled environment while being supervised,” she said.
Roe recommended that residents refrain from carrying or displaying air guns in public and that owners ensure that their weapon is inaccessible to children by following correct storage protocol. She calls on parents to help discourage their children from engaging in the irresponsible handling of air guns.
“We need to keep spaces where children gather, like schools, community centres, safe,” said Roe.
“What we’re asking for here is to educate — but we need the support of community members, parents, and supervisors.”
