In a stark illustration of escalating firearm dangers in the Greater Toronto Area, frontline Peel Regional Police officers have seized nine guns in just eight weeks during 2026, averaging more than one deadly weapon per week. This alarming trend underscores how routine police duties, particularly traffic stops, have transformed into perilous encounters with armed individuals.
Traffic Stops Turn High-Risk Operations
Deputy Chief Marc Andrews emphasized the inherent risks faced by officers, stating, "It's dangerous work by our officers. They are keeping the community safe." The statistics reveal a disturbing normalization of firearm possession, with 30% of the 161 guns seized since 2024 discovered during traffic stops—a sharp departure from historical norms where such finds were rare occurrences.
Andrews highlighted the critical importance of these seizures, noting that each confiscated weapon represents a potential crime prevented. "Every time they remove a gun from the street, it means that a gun cannot hurt anybody or be used in a crime," he explained, praising officers' "bravery and selflessness" in confronting these threats.
Recent Seizure Highlights Ongoing Challenges
The ninth firearm of 2026 was confiscated on February 18 during an early morning traffic stop in Brampton. Officers from the 22 Division's Community Intervention and Response Team detained a vehicle near Main Street and Brickyard Way under the Cannabis Act, leading to a foot pursuit and arrest of one suspect.
During the arrest, police allegedly discovered a loaded illegal handgun with ammunition. Two individuals faced multiple charges: Jamal Reid, 28, of Brampton, with firearm-related offenses including unauthorized possession and obstructing police, and Derek Asiedu, 27, with charges related to vehicle occupancy with a firearm and drug possession. Both remained in custody pending bail hearings, with charges not yet tested in court.
Leadership Commends Frontline Efforts
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah commended officers' proactive work, stating, "Our frontline officers and investigators continue to demonstrate exceptional commitment and professionalism in their efforts to keep our community safe. Their proactive work in removing illegal firearms from our streets is outstanding."
The seizure data reveals a persistent challenge across the region, with gun crime affecting communities throughout the GTA. While finding firearms before their use in crimes represents a preventive success, the frequency of these incidents signals deeper societal issues requiring continued law enforcement vigilance.
As Andrews summarized, this work remains "complex and sometimes terrifying," yet fundamentally "important and potentially life-saving." With the tenth firearm seizure anticipated imminently, Peel Regional Police continue their relentless efforts to combat illegal weapons proliferation through determined frontline action.
