A short-barrelled Rossi Ranch Hand rifle like this one, along with a Chiappa Survival Series firearm, were stolen from Canadian Tire on May 25. RCMP did not tell the public about the theft until three days later for "investigational reasons." - photo courtesy of Rossi USA |
Guns stolen from Canadian Tire
RCMP says firearms taken from locked display case, won't say how it was opened
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The RCMP is not saying exactly how two firearms were stolen from Canadian Tire early on the evening of May 25.
In a news release issued on Friday, police stated the stolen firearms are a Rossi Ranch Hand and a Chiappa Survival Series, which is a combination shotgun and rifle. RCMP Const. Elenore Sturko stated police had "investigational reasons" for not warning the public about the theft until three days after it occurred.
Sturko could not say exactly what those reasons were. She wrote that the store reported the stolen rifles to police the following day. The two firearms were taken from a locked retail display, Sturko stated. She refused to say whether the display case was broken into, whether police think it was opened with a key or some other way. She also refused to say whether there is a video surveillance tape of the theft.
"It was a locked display case and I am not going to provide any further details on the theft itself," Sturko said in a follow-up interview Monday.
According to the U-S based Rossi company website the Ranch Hand, which is sometimes referred to as a "mare's leg," is light, compact and easy to shoot. The lever action rifle is patterned after the one used by actor Steve McQueen in the 1950s TV show Wanted: Dead or Alive.
Barry Taylor, owner/operator of Arctic Safaris outfitters who is also chief shooting range officer for the Yellowknife Gun Club, said the short-barreled rifle is used around these parts by people to protect themselves from bears. Part of its attraction is its compact size.
"It's easy to carry," Taylor said. "It's sometimes used by trappers who can use it on a bear or to finish off an animal that is caught in a trap but is still alive."
Yellowknifer asked him if he is concerned about stolen guns being on the streets.
"Does it make them any more dangerous if they are stolen?" wondered Taylor.
"I just don't know. I just can't fathom how someone was able to steal a couple of rifles out of there. But most likely they were targeted because they are compact."
Taylor agreed both guns are short enough that they could be carried in a pant-leg, under an overcoat or stuffed in a duffel bag.
"It is really a pistol-caliber firearm but it could put a human or maybe a bear down," Taylor said. "It's not my personal dream rifle by any means but all guns can do damage, that's the bottom line."
On April 26, a man was shot in the shoulder outside Fraser Arms apartments, with what police say was a gun stolen from a Range Lake residence on March 13. Brendan Paul, 18, has been charged with stealing that gun as well as an assault rifle, along with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Paul is also charged along with co-accused Travis Campell, 26, of Langley, B.C. with attempted murder for the Fraser Arms shooting.
