FIREARMS FACTS - UPDATE

CFC POLICY SAYS “PROTECTION OF LIFE” IS A VALID REASON FOR OWNING AND CARRYING A FIREARM

REMEMBER WHEN JUSTICE MINISTER ALLAN ROCK SAID:

"... protection of life is NOT a legitimate use for a firearm in this country sir! Not!  That is expressly ruled out!" SOURCE: Justice Minister Allan Rock "Canadian justice issues, a town hall meeting" - Producer - Joanne Levy, Shaw cable, Calgary (403) 250-2885 - Taped at the Triwood Community Centre in Calgary Dec.1994

WELL, THIS IS WHAT “FEDERAL CHIEF FIREARMS OFFICER SERVICES POLICY MANUAL” SAYS ABOUT THAT:

AUTHORIZATION TO CARRY

POLICY STATEMENT – Current revision: 2000-10-05

An application for Authorization to Carry must be submitted to and can only be approved by the Chief Firearms Officer or where applicable to the designated processing site.  An individual may be authorized to carry restricted firearms or certain handguns (as prescribed in Section 12(6) of the Firearms Act) for two purposes:

1.      protection of life which includes personal protection (protecting oneself or others without remuneration) and only if the applicant meets the following criteria:

q       a threat assessment by a police agency clearly shows that the life of the individual(s) is in imminent danger from one or more individuals;

q       police protection is not sufficient in the circumstances;

q       the applicant has successfully completed training that is acceptable to the CFO in handgun proficiency and the use of force;

q       the possession of a restricted or prohibited handgun can reasonably be justified for protecting the individual(s) from death or grievous bodily harm;

q       the CFO determines that the particular restricted or prohibited handgun is appropriate in those circumstances for that purpose;

q       the applicant must be a holder of an appropriate firearms licence; and

q       the applicant has paid the appropriate fee.

2. lawful occupation (which includes employees of the armoured vehicle industry and those who require firearms for protection of life from wild animals while working the remote wilderness) and only if the applicant meets the following criteria:

q       where the application is related to the armoured car industry, the application must be submitted on the prescribed form:

-         a letter from the applicant’s employer confirming employment and outlining the duties to be performed by the employee related to the use of a firearm; and

-         must include proof of annual testing in the area of firearms proficiency and use of force as approved by the Chief Firearms Officer.

q       where the application is related to the armoured car industry, the application must be submitted on the prescribed form:

-         a letter from the applicant’s employer confirming employment and outlining the duties performed by the employee related to the use of a restricted firearm; or

-         declaration of self employment and any other document describing the type of employment outlining the specific requirement for a restricted firearm;

-         the applicant’s reasons why other methods of protection, such as non-restricted firearms, capsicum spray, etc. would not be as effective; and

-         the applicant has successfully completed training that is acceptable to the CFO in handgun proficiency

-         must have conducted a course of fire in the past year with the firearm to be carried.

The following additional conditions shall be attached to an Authorization to Carry issued to employees of the armoured vehicle industry:

-         the firearms described in the Authorization to Carry must be registered by the employing business;

-         the firearm may be carried only when the individual is directly engaged in the duties of handling, transportation or protection of cash, negotiable instruments or other goods of substantial value and may include the transportation to a range for purposes of practice and training in accordance with the policies and the business as agreed to by the Chief Firearms Officer; and

-         with the exception of firearms discharged for the purposes of practice and/or training, any discharge of a firearms registered to a business must be reported to the local law enforcement agency and to the Chief Firearms Officer.

The following additional conditions shall be attached to an Authorization to Carry issued to individuals for predator or other animal control while working in the wilderness:

-         the firearm must not be carried concealed on the person, and

-         the firearm must only be discharged when there is an imminent threat to human life.

-         The firearm must be carried in the appropriate holster, and

-         When not in the specified remote wilderness area the firearm must be stored and transported in accordance with the Storage, Display and Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations and the Authorization to Transport Regulations.

SOURCE: The above FEDERAL CHIEF FIREARMS OFFICER SERVICES POLICY was obtained from the Department of Justice through an Access to Information Act request – File: A-2002-0203 dated December 11, 2002