Peel Region Police Hit 60 Gun Seizures in 2026 Amid Surge in Violence Against Officers

Police in Ontario's Peel Region have confiscated their 60th illegal firearm this year during a routine vehicle stop, as Canadian law enforcement faces an unprecedented wave of shootings targeting officers.

Peel Region Police Hit 60 Gun Seizures in 2026 Amid Surge in Violence Against Officers

Officers in Ontario's Peel Region have reached a grim milestone by confiscating their sixtieth unlawful firearm of the year, underscoring the escalating gun crisis as police across Canada come under increasing fire.

"This was our 60th gun seizure of 2026," confirmed Deputy Chief Marc Andrew of Peel Regional Police, as detailed by the Toronto Sun.

The latest weapon was found on Sunday, June 21, around 4:30 in the afternoon, when patrol units pulled over a vehicle near the intersection of Hurontario Street and Sir Lou Drive in Brampton. While examining the car, officers uncovered a loaded pistol and an ammunition magazine.

Personnel from Road Safety Services and the 22 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau took possession of the illegal weapon. They arrested Michael Lawrence, a 37-year-old resident of Toronto, and laid several criminal charges against him. These include having a firearm without proper authorization and carrying a loaded restricted weapon. The allegations remain untested before the courts.

This confiscation comes during a devastating June that has seen half a dozen Canadian police personnel shot at or struck by bullets. Toronto Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, and Montreal Constable Mohamad Lamine Benredouane, 34, were both slain in separate incidents. Benredouane's colleague clings to life in hospital, while two Mounties in Saskatchewan and a Peel officer also sustained gunshot wounds.

On that same June day in Peel, another officer narrowly escaped harm when Isaiah Bachoo, a 24-year-old from Brampton, allegedly opened fire. Authorities charged him with intentionally discharging a firearm and possessing a loaded prohibited weapon. At the time, Bachoo was already bound by numerous court orders forbidding him from having guns, resulting from earlier firearm convictions in Thunder Bay dating to 2023.

Peel Chief Nishan Duraiappah stated: "This is another stark reminder of the dangers our officers face every day while on the front lines working to keep our communities safe. We are grateful the officer was not seriously injured and that no members of the public were harmed."

He continued: "This is another example of the cycle of violent crime that continues to impact our communities and must be stopped. We continue to advocate for stronger bail and sentencing to better manage repeat violent offenders like this and reduce the risk they pose to our communities."

With sixty illegal weapons taken off Peel streets since January, authorities are removing firearms at a pace exceeding two per week on average.

Source: Toronto Sun Crime