Originally Posted by
fenceline
They aren't law. But as the lab has said before they are responsible for determining the classification of guns based on how the law is written. The frt was designed to capture those interpretations for ease of reference. The cbsa for example won't import a firearm without referencing this opinion.
And judges make case law through court rulings after hearing evidence. The rcmp lab is considered a court approved expert in the field, and certain members of the lab's examination team are considered experts in firearms classification. Their opinions can be given as evidence, thus influencing case law.
So while not law, they have considerable influence on the courts and politicians.