Charges Laid Against Tatla Lake Man In Gun Trafficking Case
Charges have now been laid by Crown Counsel against a 63-year-old Tatla Lake man as a result of a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC investigation.
In early June 2013, CFSEU-BC received a tip that the man, a long-time resident of Tatla Lake, was trafficking firearms and prohibited devices. CFSEU-BC began an investigation and it was uncovered that the man was allegedly selling assault-style semi-automatic rifles with over-capacity magazines, amongst other guns and weapons.
The man was arrested at his home, located in the 16400 block Highway 20, on August 23rd. A search warrant resulted in police finding and seizing 183 firearms of various makes, models, and calibres, along with tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and prohibited devices such as over-capacity magazines.
Gerald Peter Kirby has been charged with the following criminal offences (24 counts total):
- Possession for the purpose of weapons trafficking (4 counts)
- Weapons trafficking (4 counts)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (3 counts)
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized (3 counts)
- Careless use of a firearm (10 counts)
Kirby has no previous criminal record and is currently not in custody. His next court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. on January 29th, 2014 in Williams Lake Provincial Court.
As this is now before the courts, we will not be able to provide further comments.
CFSEU-BC Media Spokesperson: Sgt. Lindsey Houghton
Desk: (778) 290-3099
Cell: (604) 764-9085
CFSEU-BC Communications Strategist: Geeta Reddy
Desk: (778) 290-2873
Cell: (604) 499-4199
