Dear Editor:
After reading your March 25 story about a family pet being shot and paralyzed by an air gun, I would like to say that the North Vancouver RCMP failed to mention that existing firearm regulation bylaws prohibit discharging pellet guns/air guns within all three North Shore municipalities, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Surrey, to mention a few. The biggest problem, currently, is although these cities, districts and others in B.C. prohibit the firing of air guns within their municipal boundaries, they permit retailers within their boundaries to sell air guns and air rifles to the public. Why is this? Do they think people won't use them?
Air guns are frequently advertised in weekly flyers, especially in the summer months. What they don't inform customers is although municipal councils continue to unwisely allow or turn a blind eye to them selling these weapons, it is illegal for customers to use them on city, district or private property within the respective municipal boundaries with such a firearm regulation bylaw.
Concerned and affected citizens must pressure their local and provincial government to close the loophole and prohibit retailers from selling air guns in areas of British Columbia where existing bylaws already prohibit their use. Numerous other animals, loved pets and birds will continue to be maimed and killed, and eventually someone will be seriously hurt.
Mike Burns West Vancouver
