Airdrie man accused of firearms trafficking, buying guns for criminals

A 22-year-old Airdrie man is accused of buying guns and selling them to criminals.

Brady Fisher was arrested Tuesday by Airdrie RCMP and Calgary police and charged with five counts of firearms trafficking and three counts of possession of a firearm in an unauthorized place.

Fisher is alleged to have bought seven restricted firearms and at least two unrestricted firearms dating back to November 2016, according to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT).

In June 2019, Edmonton police seized one of the guns during a drug investigation.

Police say that seizure"kickstarted" ALERT's investigation.

Five of the firearms remain unaccounted for, while three were voluntarily surrendered.

"We have no idea where these firearms may show up, or what crimes they may have been used in," saidInsp. Shawn Wallace with ALERT. "People engaged in firearms straw purchasing are callously putting public safety at risk."

Straw purchasing involves a person with a valid possession and acquisition licence (PAL) and no criminal record buying firearms for someone who can't legally obtain one or who doesn'twant their name associated with the purchase.