Guelph police are warning the community about the dangers of a popular game among teens involving replica firearms used to “assassinate” each other.
High school students in the Guelph region of Ontario have been playing a game known as “senior assassin” in which they carry water guns or other projectiles to shoot at each other in an elimination competition, the Guelph Police Service said in a May 13 media release.
Many of the water guns involved in the “assassin” game look identical to real firearms, which has led concerned members of the public to notify police of teens carrying real guns. The game is not only played during school hours, the media release said, but is played at all hours of the day and night.
It is nearly impossible for officers to determine whether the firearms are real or not, police say, and, until proven otherwise, they must respond to these calls as if real firearms were involved. Potential safety concerns for the community, including the youth playing the game, can result from the required response by police.
High priority is placed on police response to reports of teens carrying alleged guns, which takes officers away from other legitimate calls from citizens in actual need of their services.
“The Guelph Police Service understands the game is fun for students, but we encourage those playing it to do so responsibly,” the media release said. “Parents are also encouraged to speak to their children to ensure they understand the risks of using replica firearms in public.”
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A teen was arrested at gunpoint on May 1, while a Guelph high school was placed in lockdown, after police were notified of teenagers with guns in a car outside of the school, a Guelph police media release said.
One teenager was located by police in the reported vehicle, who was arrested at gunpoint, while a second was found inside the school shortly afterwards, and the third was at home. Police investigation disclosed that the weapons carried by the teenagers were water guns.
Officers cautioned the three teens for possessing weapons for a dangerous purpose, who will complete an educational diversion program through the John Howard Society instead of facing charges, the release reads.
“Residents are reminded not to brandish replica firearms in public, as such incidents are alarming to the public and police must respond as if the firearm is real until proven otherwise,” Guelph police said.
York Region
The “senior assassin” game has seen popularity in the York region as well. York police warned the community on May 6 about the popular game and the associated risks of possessing replica firearms, after receiving five reports of youth carrying firearms.
“Police responding to these weapons calls are often in the position of having to make quick decisions regarding whether the weapon is real, a toy or a replica, which could have significant consequences,” York Regional Police said.
Police reminded the public that there have been police-involved shootings following reports of firearms that were later determined to have been replicas. In these cases, the actions of the officers involved were found to be justified given the seriousness of the decision involved.
York police say that if a replica firearm, air gun, gel gun, or toy gun is used in connection with another offence, the weapon is considered legitimate and significant criminal charges can be laid.
“If you damage property or injure a person or animal by discharging an air gun, you could be subject to criminal charges in addition to civil liability,” police warn, adding that they strongly discourage purchasing and using these types of guns in the York region.
