Mr. X,
Thank you for your inquiry. Below you will find the CAFC position on magazine alterations. The Criminal Code defines how the modifications can be made, however as always, different interpretation leads to confusion. The issue with certain officials in the past is what constitutes "not easily removed and the magazine cannot be further altered ...". The de-facto standard in Canada at gun shows, business and in individual cases has been that riveting is an acceptable method of altering the magazine. The reasons we have accepted this as a standard are:
1. Riveting is as permanent a method of altering a magazine as any- given that any alteration can be undone;
2. Rivets will prevent the magazine from holding more than the defined number of cartridges as required; and
3. To be in possession of a magazine with a capacity contrary to the Criminal Code, is a criminal offence. If you rivet your mags today, and remove them tomorrow, you are in contravention to the law, therefore if riveted, you remain in compliance.
CFR Technical Advisory Bulletin
Subject: Magazine Control Regulations
Serial Number: 2005-02.001
Date: 2005.06.24
Background: Client requested the CFC position on the practice of riveting magazine to comply with the Magazine Control Regulations - Criminal Code, Section 84, Part 4 Prohibited Devices-Former Cartridge Magazine control Regulations.
(4) A cartridge magazine described in subsection (1) that has been altered or re-manufactured so that it is not capable of containing more than five or ten cartridges, as the case may be, of the type for which it was originally designed is not a prohibited device as prescribed by that subsection if the modification to the magazine cannot be easily removed and the magazine cannot be easily further altered so that it is so capable of containing more than five or ten cartridges, as the case may be.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), altering or re-manufacturing a cartridge magazine includes
(a) The indentation of its casing by forging, casting, swaging or impressing;
(b) in the case of a cartridge magazine with a steel or aluminum casing, the insertion and attachment of a plug, sleeve, rod, pin, flange or similar device, made of steel or aluminum, as the case may be, or of a similar material, to the inner surface of its casing by welding, brazing or any other similar method; or
(c) in the case of a cartridge magazine with a casing made of a material other than steel or aluminum, the attachment of a plug, sleeve, rod, pin, flange or similar device, made of steel or of a material similar to that of the magazine casing, to the inner surface of its casing by welding, brazing or any other similar method or by applying a permanent adhesive substance, such as a cement or an epoxy or other glue.
Resolve: The current position of the Registry TA's is that the riveting of magazines meets the standard, and is already the de-facto standard employed by people through out Canada, as witnessed at gun shops, gun shows and in the hands of the general public.
CFR Policy: It is the policy of the CFR Technical Advisors that the riveting of a cartridge magazine so that it is not capable of containing more than five or ten cartridges as applicable provides compliance with the criminal code.
Canada Border Services Agency is the agency that controls all imports into Canada, and they have the discretionary duties to enforce the Criminal Code. Should they deem your magazines are not in compliance with the CC, they have that authority.
Long time coming D, good on you. Let me know if I can help.:beerchug:
