Vancouver City Council has voted unanimously to ban the sale of gun-shaped lighters, in a move they say will free up police resources that are being used to respond to emergency calls related to the lighters being mistaken for real firearms.
The motion, put forward in June and made a bylaw on July 23, prohibits the sale of novelty gun-shaped lighters, and includes fines of up to $1,000 for infractions. The lighters are small handheld or torch lighters that have parts like a trigger, barrel or handle that make it resemble a real firearm.
Council sided with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), who said significant police resources are being used to respond to related calls….