Richmond, British Columbia – Owners of novelty umbrellas designed to look like guns have been asked by Canadian police to leave the items at home.
One of these so-called gunbrellas recently upset a group of commuters who thought a man was carrying a real rifle. According to UPI , authorities explained the situation could have taken a very tragic turn had the man made any sudden movements.
The young man was reportedly waiting at the bus stop with the gunbrella on his shoulder. When officers approached the man, they ordered him to place the item on the ground before taking several steps back.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Sherrdean Turley told the CBC :
“If, for example, he had [the novelty umbrella] on his shoulder and was simply trying to tell our officers, ‘No, no, no, it’s just an umbrella, let me show you.’ If it appeared that he was actually shouldering the rifle — if our officers believed he was about to fire — I mean, our officers would have no choice.”
The store which sold the gunbrella to the young man has not commented on the situation. However, it’s being reported that the store will immediately discontinue the item. The manager also apologized to the man’s mother.
A spokesperson for a store which sells samurai sword umbrellas said they refused to stock the gunbrellas since they looked so much like real weapons.
The representative told the CBC :
“We won’t carry the umbrella gun because we found it looks too much like a real gun. We don’t want to be responsible with somebody walking down the street with a real-looking gun, and what will the police do with you.”
It’s easy to understand why authorities would mistake the gun umbrella for the real thing. At first glance, the images of the Rifle Umbrella posted at Brando are incredibly realistic.
Do you think gunbrellas should be banned?
