Is there a legal minimum for barrel lengths on rifles and shotguns?

[Canuck1911]

I just took day one of my PAL course today and our instructor gave us this bit of homework to find out. He said he doubts we could find out the right answer so i thought i would check here first.

btw, this is my first post. I have only been lurking until now.

[rugger_can]

From my studying, I understand that any Centerfire rifle or Shotgun that is less then 470 mm by design and is not otherwise prohibited is restricted and any Centerfire rifle or shotgun that has been altered to be less than 457mm is considered prohibited (altered being the key point, as a rifle with a 16.5 inch barrel that is not prohibited would be restricted, same with a 10 inch barrel ect.)

If Im wrong someone please correct me.

[gallen270]

no, but it is illegal to cut any shorter than 18''.

so if me and you have each an 870, yours is a factory 14'' and mine is a 30'', both are non-restricted and legal (as long as they have an over al lenght of 26'' or greater). legally, i can cut mine to 18'', but below that would be prohibited.

[scott]

you can cut a semi auto centerfire down to 18.5"

you can cut a non semi, or rimfire down to 18"

you can make (manufacture) a barrel any lengh you want. (if semi auto would be restricted under 18.5" though)

so you can buy a factory 8" barrel pump action shotgun... but if you already had a long one you can only cut it down to 18".

the laws are retarded.

[Kc.338Lp]

So is that why when someone buys a factory 8.5 , 10 , 11.5 inch AR15 barrel theyre not prohibited because they were manufactured to that length and thus stay restricted ?

So if i cut my m14 down to 18" it would stay non restricted ?

[Wendell]

Is there a legal minimum for barrel lengths on rifles and shotguns?

I just took day one of my PAL course today and our instructor gave us this bit of homework to find out. He said he doubts we could find out the right answer so i thought i would check here first.

Barrel and Firearms Lengths
http://nfa.ca/node/128

The Lupara or Short Barreled Shotgun
http://nfa.ca/node/79

NFA Legal
http://nfa.ca/nfa-legal

FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C-46/p...horbo-ga:l_III

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C-46/p...horbo-ga:l_III

Criminal Code (R.S., 1985, c. C-46)

PART III
FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS
Interpretation

Definitions
84. (1) In this Part,

“prohibited firearm”
« arme à feu prohibée »

“prohibited firearm” means
(a) a handgun that

(i) has a barrel equal to or less than 105 mm in length, or

(ii) is designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32 calibre cartridge,

but does not include any such handgun that is prescribed, where the handgun is for use in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union,
(b) a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,

(i) is less than 660 mm in length, or

(ii) is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length,
(c) an automatic firearm, whether or not it has been altered to discharge only one projectile with one pressure of the trigger, or
(d) any firearm that is prescribed to be a prohibited firearm;

“prohibited weapon”
« arme prohibée »

“prohibited weapon” means
(a) a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, or
(b) any weapon, other than a firearm, that is prescribed to be a prohibited weapon;

“restricted firearm”
« arme à feu à autorisation restreinte »

“restricted firearm” means
(a) a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm,
(b) a firearm that

(i) is not a prohibited firearm,

(ii) has a barrel less than 470 mm in length, and

(iii) is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,
(c) a firearm that is designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm by folding, telescoping or otherwise, or
(d) a firearm of any other kind that is prescribed to be a restricted firearm;

“restricted weapon”
« arme à autorisation restreinte »

“restricted weapon” means any weapon, other than a firearm, that is prescribed to be a restricted weapon;

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C-46/p...horbo-ga:l_III

I suspect a trick question. There is a legal distinction between a shortened barrel "...whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration..." and a barrel that was originally manufactured at that length. Currently, there is also a legal minimum barrel length of 105mm, but there are many, many grandfathered (and legal) prohibited firearms with barrels that are shorter than that.

[Ar180shooter]

So is that why when someone buys a factory 8.5 , 10 , 11.5 inch AR15 barrel theyre not prohibited because they were manufactured to that length and thus stay restricted ?

So if i cut my m14 down to 18" it would stay non restricted ?

It's a semi, so no.

[Canuck1911]

Thanks for all the input folks. I suspected it was a bit of a trick question. I have another question he gave us that i will post up soon.

[tdk213]

Just out of curiosity where are you doing your course? You in the lowermainland?

[Captain Paul]

you can make (manufacture) a barrel any lengh you want. (if semi auto would be restricted under 18.5" though)

.

so could I jump on a Lathe and make myself a 10inch barrel for an 870?

I feel like I might get flammed for asking that. lol