The Langley man dubbed the ‘Frankenstein of gunmaking’ was back in court facing more than 40 firearms-related charges.
Bradley Friesen, 37, has remained behind bars since his arrest at a popular Osoyoos campground, where he was camping alone with his five-year-old son.
Police on both sides of the border had their sights on Friesen since May. He is accused of converting semi-automatic guns into fully automatic guns with silencers, and shipping them all over the world.
On the morning of July 17, Friesen was arrested at his tent. His child was picked up by a relative. Numerous firearms and illegal firearms-related devices were seized from Friesen’s van at the campground. Many of the firearms found in the van were stashed underneath a booster seat in which Friesen’s young son was seated, as well as at the feet of the child’s seat.
In May, officers from the Tucson office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives called RCMP to tell them they had been investigating Friesen for selling Glock switches, silencers and gun parts via the internet. Police said that Friesen flew under their radar and wouldn’t have been investigated without the U.S. Bureau contacting them.
However, he is known to police and was convicted of attempted murder with a firearm in Penticton in 2003. He had a lifetime firearms ban.
Friesen rents two properties on 95A Avenue in Walnut Grove. He was using one of those properties to make the guns.
The U.S. has sought extradition of Friesen for charges he will face there.