Handguns found hidden in University of Calgary ceiling

[BerserkerCatSplat]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...gary-1.3286381

Police have charged a University of Calgary student after two semi-automatic pistols were found hidden on campus.

The weapons were uncovered by electrical contractors working at the university on Aug. 27, who came across the pair of unloaded .45-calibre handguns located in a false ceiling in the Earth Sciences building.

Police were notified and undertook a seven-week investigation, in which a person of interest was identified early and monitored.

That person, a 25-year-old Calgary man, was arrested today.

He is charged with two counts each of unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a weapon obtained by crime and one count of possessing a firearm with an altered or removed serial number.

Police said the risk to students and staff at the university was "minimal."

[NoPulp]

The risk was minimal?

Just hiding it there for safe keeping?

[GQBalla]

an unloaded gun is as dangerous as a hammer.
you can still hit someone with it.

Contractors leave tools around all the time.

[spikerS]

Back in the day I used to work at sait, part of SAITSA, and i helped to run the "locker project" where rather than students selecting a random locker, lockers were assigned, and tracked.

Part of this meant that we had to open lockers that had not been opened in YEARS! We had to call the CPS numerous times to come and claim illegal materials like weapons and drugs. Of course since there was no record of who used the lockers, I don't think the investigations went far, and hence, a one of the reasons we initiated the project.

[01RedDX]

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[Mitsu3000gt]

Who knows why it was there, but hiding an unloaded gun in a ceiling is a long way from using it on a shooting rampage (I assume that what most people think the risk is, being that it's in a University). Could just be some gang member selling it to another, not wanting to store it at home (or any number of other scenarios). Looking at the charges, at least one of the weapons was obtained illegally, so my guess would be gang related or maybe just looking to sell them.

The other charges suggest it was at least assumed there could have been more danger, but we don't have the details. You can only use a handgun in an approved range, so if you have one outside of said range, improperly stored, illegally obtained, and with removed serial numbers, it's a fair assumption it is intended or a dangerous purpose. There would be no point in going through that trouble though if he planned on hitting the school.

[CompletelyNumb]

Maybe they took the firing pins out and left them there to see what he'd do.

[01RedDX]

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[D'z Nutz]

I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!

Who do I sue?

[Nitro5]

Harper!

[FraserB]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


I found some improbable scenarios in your premise, such as:

Gang members attending university,

Gang members selling guns at the university,

and

Gang members storing their guns at the university.

In your mind, what are the more probable scenarios that involve someone who illegally obtained two firearms, was not authorized to possess them and altered the serial number on one of them?

There were not firearms in the legal possession of a licensed owner. They were firearms obtained by illegal means and in the possession of a CRIMINAL.

[01RedDX]

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[sabad66]

Believe it or not, gang members (or people that are closely associated) do attend university/Post secondary

[rx7_turbo2]

Originally posted by sabad66
Believe it or not, gang members (or people that are closely associated) do attend university/Post secondary

Gang members at UofC? You don't say

[raceman6135]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
In my mind, this was probably someone who was planning a massacre, but hey, if you think this was just some gang member storing his guns, then whatever floats your boat.

Been reported that Husayn Nathoo, former student, intended to use them in drug trafficking:

http://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/...-of-c-building

[Sugarphreak]

...

[01RedDX]

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[l/l/rX]

Originally posted by sabad66
Believe it or not, gang members (or people that are closely associated) do attend university/Post secondary

IE) http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/28...-has-gang-ties

[Meback]

Wonder what they did with Leon Li, still not found. I guess if you live by the gun you die by it too.

Some drug dealers do attend post secondary. They deal to make money, but are also smart enough to know that they can't do it forever. More dumb ones then smart ones mind you.

[vengie]

If everyone in the University was carrying firearms this would not have happened! Arm everyone!!! #merica