RCMP seized trove of firearms over past month

Prince George RCMP are reminding gun owners to keep their firearms safe and secure as the detachment made four seizures over the past four weeks.

- Thomas Joshua Toman, 22, and Justus Leigh Colin Teasdale, 26, remain in custody on charges related to their Jan. 14 arrest in the parking lot of the Walmart.

Inside what turned out be a stolen vehicle, RCMP found a loaded 5.56 semi-automatic rifle at the driver’s feet and loaded and sawed-off shotgun under the passenger’s seat.

The magazine for the rifle had the pin drilled out and it was loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition, making it a prohibited item, RCMP also noted.

- Police uncovered five firearms on Jan. 13 when they were called to a complaint at the Ramada Plaza Hotel of guests refusing to comply with the province's COVID restrictions.

The guns were stashed in hiding places around the room along with "large quantities" of ammunition.

One of the guns turned out to be an air gun but that was not apparent at the time, RCMP said.

- A handgun was found in the backyard with the magazine nearby in the back yard of a 1600-block 11th Ave. home on Jan. 6.

- Various forms of ammunition along with two BB guns were found during a drug-related investigation of a 1400-block Milburn Avenue home in mid-January. Police first suspected the BB guns to be loaded revolvers.

In light of the seizures, RCMP are reminding owners to lock up their items in a secure place, such as a safe.

"In addition, to keep in mind when at the gun range or when talking online, not to mention where your firearms are stored. Easily accessed firearms are a high priority target for many thieves," RCMP said.

"When transferring ownership of a restricted or prohibited firearm, make sure you are contacting the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 for the proper process. Illegally obtaining firearms from outside of Canada is only one of the ways criminals obtain these weapons."