One of my major concerns in going ahead in getting a PAL is that I am not a car owner or driver. I have 3 primary means of getting places in this city: walking, public transit, and cycling. Taxi is an option once in awhile but would be less than ideal for regular trips to the range.
First thing I had to do was check federal law for the appropriate sections (found a couple threads on CGN which were also helpful):
Federal Law
Non-restricted
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/SOR-98...chorbo-ga:s_10
Restricted10. (1) An individual may transport a non-restricted firearm only if
(a) except in the case of a muzzle-loading firearm that is being transported between hunting sites, it is unloaded; and
(b) in the case of a muzzle-loading firearm that is being transported between hunting sites, its firing cap or flint is removed.
...
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/SOR-98...chorbo-ga:s_11
The remainder of each section discusses leaving firearms unattended in vehicles (a person would be an imbucile to leave anything valuable unattended on a bike). No mention of vehicles occurs until that point in the law, which I interpret to mean that walking and cycling are both acceptable means of transporting a firearm.11. An individual may transport a restricted firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device;
(c) it is in a locked container that is made of an opaque material and is of such strength, construction and nature that it cannot readily be broken open or into or accidentally opened during transportation;
...
In summary, both classes of firearm must be kept unloaded and restricted firearms must be rendered inoperable and stored in a sturdy, opaque, locked container. Easily done.
Provincial Law
Perhaps some others on the board can help out with this one, but I did not find anything in Alberta provincial law concerning transport of firearms.
Seems a-okay here.
Municipal Law
City of Calgary disallows the firing of guns within city limits except at authorized ranges, but I didn't think there was any law on the books preventing transport or restricting transport to certain types of vehicles. The bylaws appear to agree:
City Bylaw 20M88
http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/BU/...erks/20m88.pdf
So as long as it's unloaded (as per Federal law) and I'm not shooting in unauthorized locations within the city, transport by any conveyance should be okay.8. Unless otherwise lawfully authorized, no person shall convey a firearm, pellet gun, B.B. gun, air gun, or gas operated gun in which a round of ammunition for such a gun or firearm is in the chamber within the City.
9. (1) No person shall discharge a firearm, pellet gun, B.B. gun or a gas powered gun within the City
...
The only place things get sticky is in the use of public transit:
Calgary Transit Bylaw 4M81
http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/BU/cityclerks/4m81.pdf
I find "carry" to be a little ambiguous, but the intention is very clear: no guns on public transit.14. (7) No person, other than a Peace Officer, shall carry a firearm while on a transit vehicle.
Summary
Barring anything I haven't considered (please inform me if I've missed something), as long as all legal transport requirements are observed:
Legal: walking, cycling
Not legal: public transit
That said, once I get my firearm I have every intention of keeping a copy of the laws with me when transporting by bike or on foot.
While a pistol would be easy enough to transport out of sight, does anyone have recommendations for transport of a rifle without drawing too much unnecessary attention?
UPDATE:
I wanted clarification on transport requirements for non-restricted firearms, so I emailed the Calgary Police and just today received this response from Cst L. John Burke of the Firearm Support Unit:
When I transport a non-restricted by bike, I'll be printing this and carrying it with my registration.I have been requested to address your questions that relate to the legal transportation of a non-restricted firearm on a bicycle.
The requirements for transporting a non-restricted firearm on a bicycle are the same as in a motor vehicle. As per the Firearms Act a non-restricted firearm must be unloaded. As you are transporting the firearm and not storing it you are not required by law to have a trigger lock on it. That being said the more precautions you take will only make matters better. My suggestion is to 1) Unload the firearm—mandatory--, 2) Trigger lock or remove the bolt, and 3) Have the firearm in a lockable hard sided firearm case. Suggestions 2 and 3 are above and beyond what is required by the Firearms Act but in the case of firearm safety more is better. If you meet these requirements and you have a valid firearms license and registration you will not be breaking any laws with regards to the transportation of a non-restricted firearm. The likelihood of being stopped by a Police Officer while you are transporting your firearm on a bicycle is very high. If you are seen you can count on being pulled over and spoken to. As I mentioned earlier you are not breaching the transportation requirements but it is not common to see someone on a bicycle with a firearm and for the safety of all persons involved I would imagine you would be stopped and spoken to.
I hope this information is of assistance to you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Cst L. John Burke #2890
Firearm Support Unit
Calgary Police Service