WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Police Service has created a Guns and Gangs Unit to combat the increase in gan-related, shootings, and firearm discharges.
Both nationally and locally, there has been an increase in violent crime where a firearm was present. In 2016, there were 7100 victims – a rate of 25 victims of firearm-related violent crime per 100,000 Canadians. In Manitoba, we have one of the highest provincial rates of firearm-related violent crime at 48 victims per 100,000 population; nearly double the Canadian average.
The Guns and Gangs Unit mandate is to identify, arrest, and dismantle any gang criminal organization or crime group responsible for violent criminal activity within our community, primarily focusing on illegal firearms, ammunition, and illicit drugs.
In recent weeks the WPS has released information on an increasing number of firearms-related offences. The Winnipeg Police Service continues to see a marked rise in firearms, improvised firearms, and related incidents.
Zip guns or “improvised/homemade firearms” are the second most common seized crime gun by the Winnipeg Police Service (sawed-off firearms are the most common). Seizures of zip guns increased from 3 in 2016 to 52 in 2018. In 2019 so far, 31 zip guns have been seized.
It is known that there are individuals in Winnipeg who are mass producing zip guns and selling them to those in the gang and drug sub-cultures.
The following statistics illustrate the significant increases over the last few years.
Seized Firearms (Total)
Shootings (Evidence of Shootings)
Incidents where a gun was involved
Homicides by Firearm
See it – Say it
We can all play a role in making sure firearms don’t fall into the wrong hands. If you see what you believe to be a firearm in the care of someone or a firearm at a specific location, it should not be, call 911.
The Winnipeg Police Service Firearms Investigative Enforcement Unit (F.I.E.U), is dedicated to investigating suspicious firearms activity and the illegal acquisition and possession of firearms. Members of the unit may be contacted at 204-986-3258 for further information.
If you have information on any gun crime, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 786- TIPS (8477), where callers never have to reveal their identity. If your tip is helpful, you are eligible to receive an award up to $2000.00 in cash.
If you are the legal owner of firearms ensure they are stored safely and appropriately in a manner that complies with Federal regulation which applies both to firearms and ammunition. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.6/index.html