GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Police say loud “booms” heard by residents in the area of Marden Road and Wellington Road 39 last Friday evening came from a property owner conducting firearms “practice” with exploding targets.
The Advertiser received several calls from residents in the area who were concerned about multiple explosions at around 8pm on July 7.
“We need to know what happened,” said one caller, who did not leave his name but noted residents in the area are quite worried.
The explosions were very loud, made windows “rattle” and a neighbour reported that their house shook, he explained.
The man noted that four OPP vehicles were seen at an address on Marden Road later in the evening on July 7.
(Tannerite image)
Wellington County OPP spokesperson Jacob Unger confirmed officers “responded to the area of Wellington Road 30 (Marden Road) for a noise complaint at about 9pm on July 7.
“Investigation determined that property owners nearby were conducting target practice and had also been using Tannerite, which can make a loud noise,” Unger stated in a July 11 email to the Advertiser.
“They were advised of the complaints from surrounding neighbours and stated that they would be stopping for the day.”
Tannerite is a popular brand of binary exploding rifle targets, which are generally made by mixing ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder.
Binary kits are legal in Canada and governed by federal regulations, but purchasers must have a fireworks operator certificate or what’s called a Possession Access Licence (PAL).
Asked if the Marden Road property owners had a certificate or licence, Unger replied, “I do not have that information at this time.”
Guelph/Eramosa’s firearms discharge bylaw prohibits the firing of guns after 6pm on Fridays, with violators possibly facing a $275 fine.
Township clerk Amanda Knight told the Advertiser the township did not receive a complaint about the July 7 incidents.
-With files from Joanne Shuttleworth and Robin George
