A loaded handgun was found on the beach in Nanoose Bay yesterday morning, according to police.
Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman confirmed a nine millimeter pistol was located by a woman beachcombing near Madrona Drive and Arbutus Drive.
"That's the caliber of gun we (police officers) carry," Foreman told The NEWS. "It's not a little gun, it's a serious gun."
The weapon was found when the tide was out close to the public access point.
"It was loaded," said Foreman. "Our queries on it came back negative."
He said the finding is suspicious in nature but confirmed no shots were fired.
"There have been no strange complaints or gun-related calls," Foreman said, adding it seems "out of the blue."
The pistol was wedged between rocks when it was located by the beachcomber.
Foreman said the gun has been sent to the RCMP lab for processing.
He confirmed there are no leads at this point.
Foreman described the neighbourhood the pistol was found near as "quiet, small and not crime-ridden."
"It's alarming," said a source who lives in the area and prefers to remain anonymous for security purposes.
"It was shocking for our street and particularly concerning because there are a number of children who like to play at the beach," she said. "It's that kind of Island living that people love, people are down at the beach every day, it's my morning coffee spot, actually."
She said it's a huge safety concern in a neighbourhood where this type of criminal activity is rare.
"It's a very safe and quiet street in a beautiful area of Nanoose Bay," she said.
Watch The NEWS for more on this developing story.