Statists think laws prevent crimes, that goes double for Canadians. As this story points out, that’s not the case.
Metroland News Service he doors at Al Simmon’s Gun Shop have been boarded up after thieves crashed a car into the building Saturday night, stealing several weapons.
The agency that administers firearms regulations says it has no concerns about how guns are stored and displayed at a Locke Street South shop after the store was rammed with a stolen car and thieves made off with four shotguns.
Al Simmons Gun Shop was broken into Sunday morning and, as a result, owners Paulette and Al Simmons are looking at beefing up the security by installing bollards in front of their store.
“I have already met the security requirements by the Chief Firearms Officer (in) Ontario and then some by what we have here … How much money do I have to spend to keep the criminals from breaking in?” asked Paulette.
Hamilton police said three people crashed a stolen car through the front doors of the shop around 1 a.m., grabbed four guns and ran off.
All the stolen guns were recovered when police searched the surrounding area for the thieves, who got away.
Police have not answered any questions about how the culprits were able to take the firearms, but said the Chief Firearms Office was notified of the incident.
The Chief Firearms Office in Ontario is part of the OPP, and it administers firearms regulations on behalf of the federal government, explained Sergeant Wayne Johnson, supervisor of business licencing with the office.
Johnson was in contact with the Hamilton gun shop owner Monday and “through that conversation, I’m satisfied there are no storage issues.”
“That business has consistently met or exceeded the requirements of the firearms storage regulations,” he added.
According to regulations for businesses selling guns, firearms may be displayed only if unloaded and secured by a chain or metal cable or bar, or if rendered inoperable through the use of a secure lock.
The theft has left Paulette upset, shocked, angry and dismayed. She originally estimated damage at $100,000, but believes it could be a lot more. She has been meeting with her insurer and estimates repairs will take more than a week.
“In my head, I’m up to about $50,000 already,” she said, noting she’s dealing with damaged carpets, display cabinets, safes, weapons, shelving and the steel front door, not to mention broken glass everywhere.
“I haven’t even begun to total up my inventory that is damaged and lost.”
Councillor Brian McHattie, who represents the ward where the gun shop is located, said he has never heard any concerns from residents about the store and, as of Monday morning, had not heard from anyone concerned about the weekend theft.
“It might not be the best place to have a gun shop, but it’s been there a long time,” he said.
Hamilton police describe the three suspects as white males in their early 20s. Anyone with information is asked to call Staff Sergeant Emidio Evangelista at 905-546- 2991 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Source: http://metronews.ca/news/hamilton/960711/no-storage-issues-at-hamilton-gun-shop-before-brazen-smash-and-grab/
