Barrie Police are reminding residents to treat any suspected firearm as potentially real after a BB gun was found in a ditch.
On Tuesday, August 25th, two pedestrians spotted what appeared to be a firearm in a ditch along Big Bay Point Road between Loon Avenue and Huronia Road. Police, including members of the Tactical Support Unit, attended and safely retrieved the item, which had not been moved.
The weapon was later confirmed to be a BB gun.
Police say BB guns can closely resemble real firearms, and officers responding to these calls will always assess the situation based on the information available at the time.
Residents are reminded not to touch or move a suspected firearm. Instead, move to a safe location and contact police. Anyone who sees someone carrying what appears to be a firearm should not approach or confront them, and should call 911 if there is an immediate safety concern.
Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to remind children that BB guns and replica firearms are not toys and should never be displayed or handled in public.
