Video appears to show Surrey, B.C., partygoers waving guns - Action News
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British Columbia

Video appears to show Surrey, B.C., partygoers waving guns

The 14-second video, which surfaced on social media platform Xon July 31, shows about a dozen people at what looks like a wedding celebration, waving and pointing firearms in the air while dancing.

Surrey RCMP has seized several firearms in response to the video, launching criminal investigation

Viral social media video leads to weapons seizure

25 days ago
Duration 2:43
Police have seized several firearms after a video circulating on social media appears to show a group of people dancing at a Surrey, B.C., wedding celebration with firearms.As Sohrab Sandhu reports, the video has sparked widespread concern about public safety and questions surrounding gun regulations.Correction, Aug. 6, 2024: A previous version of this video incorrectly stated that only the person holding a gun licence could handle or use the firearm. In fact, under Canada's Firearms Act, a licence holder can lend a firearm if the borrower uses it under the direct and immediate supervision of the person "in the same manner in which the person may lawfully use it." The video has been updated.

A social media video appearing to show people brandishing guns at a Surrey, B.C., party has sparked major backlash.

The 14-second video, which surfaced on social media platform Xon July 31, shows about a dozen people at what looks like a wedding celebration, waving and pointing firearms in the air while dancing.

A woman and a child can also be seen in the background.

Police confirmed the video was taken at a Surrey residence,and have seized several firearms from the property owner.

In a statement, Surrey RCMPsaid it is working to identify the individuals in the video.

The video has garnered hundreds of views and a barrage of comments, with many expressing concerns around public safety and gun safety laws.

A police vehicle marked 'RCMP GRC' lies on a street.
Police have seized several guns after a video circulating on social media appears to show a group of people dancing at a Surrey celebration, with firearms. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

"We understand this incident was extremely alarming to the community at large," Supt. Harm Dosange, community services officer for the Surrey RCMP, said in a statement.

CBC has not been able to independently verify the source of the video, but Surrey resident Harjit Singh Pattar confirmed the video was taken at his home where his family was hosting a party for his son's wedding.

Pattar, speaking in Punjabi, said that the family was simply celebrating and unaware of the video's potential for controversy, adding that hedoes not know who recorded and posted the video online.

Pattar expressed his surprise at the criticism the video has garnered, stating that while some community members have been supportive, others have been very critical.

The Surrey residentsays heis a gun enthusiast and claimsthe guns were licensed, had their firing pins removed, and contained no live ammunition.

But Pattar did not confirm if all the guns were licensed,who owns them, andwhether the guns in thevideo were the same seized by police.

Raj Rai, who has been teachingfirearm safety and hunting courses for more than 20 years, said he had several concerns after viewing the video.

"When you have a licence, you're expected to know how to store, how to handle, how to borrow and lend these firearms," he told CBC News."So it becomes your responsibility as a gun owner to make sure that everything is done in a safe manner. Otherwise there could be bad results."

A man in turban getting interviewed with firearms in the background.
Raj Rai, a longtime gun safety instructor, says handling guns at a public gathering is unsafe. (CBC)

Under Canada's Firearms Act, a personis able to lend their firearm ifthe borrower uses itunder the direct and immediate supervision of the person "in the same manner in which the person may lawfully use it."

In the video, a woman can be seen pointing one of the guns horizontally, which Raisays isdangerous and cannotbe considered appropriate use under supervision.

No charges have been laid at this time, according to RCMP.

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that only the person holding a gun licence could handle or use the firearm. In fact, under Canada's Firearms Act, a licence holder can lend a firearm if the borrower uses it under the direct and immediate supervision of the person "in the same manner in which the person may lawfully use it."
    Aug 06, 2024 11:08 AM PT