Police recognize increase in illegal guns in Hamilton

Hamilton police say they are recognizing an increase in the presence of illegal guns in the city after recovering 13 guns over a period of 48 hours.

The weapons were seized during four separate incidents that took place between Mar. 31 and Apr. 2.

On Mar. 31, a resident was driving in the area of Barton St. and Fifty Rd. in Stoney Creek when they saw a bedside table sitting on the side of the road.

They pulled over to pick up the side table and discovered a loaded handgun attached to the underside of it. The resident immediately contacted police to report the gun.

Police were able to recover an additional seven guns, including ammunition, linked to the original gun found underneath the side table and charged a 59-year-old Hamilton man in relation to these weapons.

The rest of the illegal guns were seized over the weekend.

Police recovered two guns during an altercation in the area of Candlewood Dr. and Rymal Rd. East on Saturday.

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Then, in the early hours of Sunday morning police were called to a bar in the area of Main St. West and Queen St. South for reports of a loaded handgun. Officers arrived at the scene, confirmed it was a loaded firearm and seized the weapon.

And finally, police searched a vehicle stopped in a live lane of traffic around 1 p.m. on Sunday after the driver was observed slumped over the wheel. Officers uncovered two loaded long arm guns in the vehicle, as well as a quantity of ammunition sitting on the passenger seat.

Police say they have seized a total of 48 crime guns since the beginning of the year, with five of those recovered during traffic-related stops.

This represents an increase of 77 per cent from this time last year.

“We should all be alarmed by these numbers,” Chief Frank Bergen said.

“If not for the interaction of police and concerned citizens, these guns would still be circulating on Hamilton’s streets. These incidents are a reminder that if you see something, then say something.”

Anyone with information about illegal guns in the City of Hamilton is asked to contact police at 905-546-4925.