A resident of Surrey, British Columbia, has sparked controversy by calling for the expedited issuance of 500 gun licences so that citizens can arm themselves against a surging wave of extortion-related violence.Vikram Bajwa, in a letter to Premier David Eby, urged the introduction of an emergency bill to fast-track possession and acquisition licences for himself and other affected residents.He described the situation as so dire that people must become “British Columbia vigilante cowboys” to counter the threats.“I strongly believe we have to become BC vigilante cowboys in order to respond to this violence,” Bajwa was quoted as saying in a report by Coast Mountain News.He painted a grim picture of daily life under fear, saying families are restricting movements, avoiding social outings, and living in constant anxiety.“If somebody calls me and says, ‘Vikram, I need $5,00,000, if you don’t pay me within one week, I’m gonna to kidnap your kid,’ what am I supposed to do?” he said. “Do I tell my kid not to go to school? Do I tell my wife she can’t go to the store or wear jewellery?”According to Bajwa, Surrey has seen four extortion-related shootings since January 15, 2026, in addition to four other shootings and 34 reported extortion cases since the start of the year.He said business owners earning more than half a million dollars annually are among the most vulnerable.The figure of 500 licences was chosen deliberately, Bajwa explained, as it represents roughly one-quarter of the approximately 1,800 members of the Chamber of Commerce in the Lower Mainland. He argued that arming a significant mass of residents would help restore confidence in the community.“If I report a threat to the police, what can they do?” he said. “They can’t park a car in front of my house 24/7. So what am I supposed to do? I arm myself. Once this message goes out to these gangsters that I am armed, they will not come to my home.”He criticised the current firearms licensing process, which can take 45 days or more and up to 90-120 days in some cases, including a mandatory 28-day waiting period for first-time applicants.Bajwa also pointed to US self-defence laws, asking, “If it works in America, why can’t it work in BC?”The proposal drew swift pushback from authorities.BC Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger rejected calls for vigilantism, stating on X: “Vigilantism is never a solution to these crimes and people should understand that if they choose to use firearms in response to gunfire, they could be subject to police investigation and possible criminal charges.”Krieger also emphasised that firearm licensing falls under federal jurisdiction, not provincial authority, and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting police efforts against extortion.