Reports of a man laying in the middle of a street have resulted in an Okanagan man facing a gun-related charge.
On Monday morning, around 7:45 am, a Vernonr resident noticed a man with a firearm laying on the ground on 24th Avenue.
The man did not appear injured but was staggering as he tried to get up with a gun in his hand, the RCMP said in a news release.
Fortunately, the witness was able to keep their distance and call the police right away.
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A large police response swarmed the area due to the potentially high-risk nature of the call.
The man, a 56-year-old Vernon resident, was quickly located.
According to the RCMP, the man was compliant with police direction and was safely arrested.
The responding officers found a silver revolver in his possession, however, it was determined the gun was inoperable and loaded with blanks.
Regardless, the RCMP are encouraging residents to always call the police if they believe a person may be in possession of a firearm, even if it is an airsoft, BB, pellet or gun shaped lighter
“If it looks like a gun, it's treated like a gun," said Constable Chris Terleski, spokesperson for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.
“Firearms complaints are taken seriously, and to ensure the safety of the public and our officers, all firearms are treated as real and loaded until proven otherwise.”
The man was released from police custody but handed a future court date.
He is facing one charge of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, the RCMP said.
