Three arrests in cell phone store holdups
There have been three arrests in the notorious holdups of cell phone stores recently. I did not realize that there’s an actual law against using a fake gun in a holdup (if the explanation here is correct).
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Kate
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Ephraim 21:43 on 2022-07-04 Permalink
Yes, but it’s less time than a real gun. The one time I was in a bank robbery, they never showed a gun… Just a very pointy finger in a pocket
Blork 21:48 on 2022-07-04 Permalink
I’m pretty sure that using a fake gun in a holdup (or other crime) is treated the same as if it were a real gun. I think the reasoning behind it is that if the victim doesn’t know it’s fake then it amounts to basically the same thing, on a few levels. Also, since realistic-looking fake guns are easy to come by, this discourages people from thinking they can commit armed robberies without the risk of punishment for armed robbery.)
(For context, you can go to Canadian Tire and buy an air pistol that the average person cannot distinguish from a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. AFAIK you don’t need to show any ID or to go through any kind of verification or registration.)
Blork 21:53 on 2022-07-04 Permalink
(Ephraim is right I think, about less jail time.)
Here’s a Beretta look-alike for $43 at CT. You only need to show you’re 18+. BTW, this thing is spring-loaded, so not powerful at all. But it sure looks real.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/daisy-powerline-340-air-pistol-1756381p.html#plp
Blork 21:59 on 2022-07-04 Permalink
If you’re feeling fancy you can buy an actual Glock (not even a kick-off) air pistol that is indistinguishable (to the untrained eye) from a Glock 9mm. $155 at Canadian Tire.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/umarex-glock-12-co2-non-blowback-pistol-3750522p.html#plp