Hunting in Alberta -PAL ?

[mmattockx]

I was told first hand by the CFO of southern Alberta that when Klein made that promise he was blowing smoke that C 68 would not be upheld in AB and that no gov't official can authorize what parts of the criminal code are enforced and what are not. That does make sense too.While it appears you are right, I think LEO 's just have bigger fish to fry than chasing guys that are just breaking paper laws. But who knows for sure?

While that may be technically true, my understanding is that the RCMP in Alberta report to the Alberta Attorney General and he can instruct them and the crown attorneys under his authority that C-68 paper violations are not to be pursued because they are a waste of resources. I can't say that this has happened, but the AG certainly has the authority to dictate what priorities will be on the list and where.

Both the RCMP and the crown have limited resources and have to make daily choices about what their priorities are. In Ontario it would seem that TPS and Chief Bliar have decided that paperwork violations are at the top of their list and real criminals rate farther down, while Alberta may have opted for a different approach.

IMO, the word of the CFO is suspect at best, anyway. He is a federal appointee and is simply parroting the official Liberal bureaucrat line on C-68. He may wish it was so, but attitudes towards guns and gun laws are very different here than in Toronto.

Mark

 

[jethunter]

The easiest thing to do is make a copy of all your certs and keep them in an envelope in the glove box of each of your vehicles. Whether you're hunting or at the range you are usually close to a vehicle and can produce the cert if needed. Leave them there and forget about it.

I've never been asked for a cert or a PAL in 10 years. Have been asked to produce my hunting license by a CO but no mention of the PAL.

 

[trombone]

So as a person with a valid PAL I can also borrow a non-restricted firearm from someone (as long as this firearm is registered)
I know the law states I have to have a firearm certificate for each firearm I own. My ATT states I have to carry the matching firearm certificates with my "restricted" firearms. But when it comes to my non-restricted firearms, I seldom carry the certificate with. Like I said earlier, I can borrow a non restricted firearm, so am I'm going to carry his/her certificate while in possession of that firearm??? I think not.
If you buy a non-restricted firearm today and decide to go to the range, there is nothing illegal about that. Your certificate for that firearm will not show up for a week or two. According to the way some interpret the law, you shouldn't carry that non-restricted firearm without a certificate, so it should by rights stay at the gun shop until your certificate comes in the mail. There again... I think not, but I too have heard the horror stories of being pulled over by the RCMP and the crap, shooters/hunters have been put through over paperwork.
Probably right... better to be safe than sorry,,, so when I get hasseled by the RCMP because I don't have firearm certificates with my non-restricted firearms when driving to the range or off hunting .. well I will have to eat crow I do carry my PAL at all time though!

 

[stubblejumper]

Like I said earlier, I can borrow a non restricted firearm, so am I'm going to carry his/her certificate while in possession of that firearm??? I think not.

If you don't want to risk having the persons gun seized by the RCMP,you will.Better to carry the certificate,than have to tell the owner that he needs to go down to the police station with the certificate,to get his gun back.

 

[trombone]

If you don't want to risk having the persons gun seized by the RCMP,you will.Better to carry the certificate,than have to tell the owner that he needs to go down to the police station with the certificate,to get his gun back.

Good point,(I had a red neck moment earlier) When borrowing a non restricted firearm a person should at least have the number or a photocopy of the owners firearm certificate. (Certain officers may want to see the original). When purchasing a new firearm you will have a reference number on your bill of sale that should suffice until your certificate arrives in the mail.
And lastly, A firearms certificate is similar to a drivers licence, if asked to produced, things will go a lot smoother if you can produce one rather than the officer having to run checks (firearm or drivers licence)