Replica weapons result in real charge for Fergus resident

Replica weapons seized by Ontario Provincial Police. (Source: OPP)

A Fergus resident has been charged for owning imitation weapons, including swords, knives and an air gun.

Ontario Provincial Police said members of their Wellington County detachment, West Region Emergency Response Team and a Canine Unit were called to assist with an arrest at a Fergus home on Sept. 8.

Social media messages, posted by OPP the same day, indicated officers responded to a person in distress in the area of Belsyde Avenue East and Scotland Street.

“Upon arrival, the individual temporarily barricaded themselves inside their residence and brandished a replica sword to police,” a media release said. “The accused eventually surrendered without incident and was cooperative with police.”

OPP said they seized the replica weapons in the interest of public safety.

The resident was then taken to a local hospital for an assessment. They were released from hospital on Sept. 17 and subsequently arrested.

OPP said the resident was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Their name was not released “out of concern for their well being.”

In the media release, OPP warned that even imitation weapons pose a danger.

“They’re considered to be weapons under the Criminal Code if they’re [used] to threaten, intimidate or commit an offence,” they said. “Replica firearms are also dangerous to those who use them because officers are trained to treat armed individuals as a significant public safety risk until proven otherwise.”