July23,2025
RED FM News Desk
Vancouver City Council has voted to ban the sale of gun-shaped lighters (GSLs), following concerns over public safety and police resources.
According to a report presented to council, these lighters — designed to closely resemble real firearms — have become increasingly common, leading to more emergency calls and diverting police attention from higher-priority incidents.
On Wednesday morning, the council unanimously approved the ban. The city noted that the Vancouver Police Department responded to 162 incidents involving gun-shaped lighters in 2024 alone.
“Many people mistake GSLs for real guns, prompting priority weapons calls that require an elevated police response,” the report explained. “These situations often involve the deployment of multiple units and may necessitate the use of force, including tasers, bean bag shotguns, or ARWEN launchers.”
The issue gained public attention in June after police responded to a report of a man with a gun in the Strathcona area. The two-hour standoff ended peacefully when officers discovered the “weapon” was actually a lighter — but police emphasized that all firearms reports must be treated as genuine until proven otherwise.
The report also revealed that gun-shaped lighters have been linked to several violent crimes in Vancouver, including six incidents involving violence and 10 resulting in criminal charges.In addition to the sales ban, city staff are recommending $1,000 fines for any retailers caught violating the rule. They also plan to ask federal and provincial governments for greater enforcement powers, including the ability for police to proactively seize these lighters to prevent their distribution.
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