The long-gun registry did help police arrest a man suspected of robbing a bank Wednesday, but a city police inspector says it was only one tool used to help find a suspect.
Thunder Bay Police Service community services Insp. Scott Smith said police canvassed the area around the Provincial Alliance Credit Union after it was robbed by a man armed with a shotgun Wednesday morning.
Officers found the shotgun they believed was used in the hold-up, which led police to the residence of the person the gun was registered to. Police arrested a 21-year-old man as a result.
While the registry is a good tool, Smith said it’s important for officers to remember that just because it says a residence doesn’t have guns, doesn’t mean it’s true.
Even though a registered gun was used in this robbery, Smith said the registry is usually only used by law-abiding citizens.
Smith added that a lot of guns used in crimes are stolen or purchased on the black market.
"There are still a lot of firearms out there that are stolen," said Smith. "Realistically people who are committing crimes quite often don’t use firearms that are traced to them."
The suspected armed robber appeared in bail court Friday and was released with conditions.
