This past week we've had communication with the RCMP Firearms Investigative & Enforcement Services Directorate (the old Tables Section) about a new ruling they've just issued which will affect all owners of S&W M&P 15-22 Rifles.
Here is the new information that they have just posted to the FRT # for both the M&P 15-22 and the M&P 15-22P firearms:
When I first heard of this new ruling I was astounded and could not understand the basis for their decision, but after listening to the reasoning for the ruling I have to say they have foundation. Unfortunately S&W themselves have been promoting, advertising and publishing that the 25 round magazine was designed and manufactured for BOTH the handgun and the rifle... and they show in their catalogue for 2010 the handgun/pistol 15-22P with the 25 round magazine... so there was little choice but to classify the magazine as a handgun magazine and that meant it was limited to 10 rounds under Canadian law. Simply put S&W made a mistake in their advertising and promotion of the magazine.
RCMP have declared that the 25 round magazine is a "Prohibited Device" if it holds more than 10 shots. You may therefore be in possession of "Prohibited Devices".
It is our understanding that the CFO's acrross Canada are being notified of this decision next week. We have already sent a written request to the Ontario CFO to ask for their direction as to whether the magazines currently in country and in possession can be "pinned" to comply with this new ruling. We will update this thread when we have received an official response.
If you are in possession of these magazines you may wish to be pro-active and contact your CFO rather than wait for someone to contact you.
For those that may think we're just spreading rumour... I did get a written confirmation of this ruling and status directly from the RCMP Department involved... it is confirmed... it is NOT a mistake.
Also... this ruling ONLY affects the S&W 25 round rimfire magazine Part #404850000 and is NOT applicable to other makes or models of magazines.
Mark
Here is the new information that they have just posted to the FRT # for both the M&P 15-22 and the M&P 15-22P firearms:
- there is a 25 shot magazine available for this Model Firearm.
- this firearm Model is manufactured in both rifle and handgun configurations. The magazine is interchangeable between the two configurations and is considered a "handgun" magazine. Because handguns are limited to a ten shot magazine capacity in accordance with the CC PART III, S.84, Regulations PART 4 Para 3.(1)(b) "The Former Cartridge Magazine Control Regulations", this limits the magazine capacity for the rifle configuration to ten (10) shots, despite the firearm being designed to use rim-fire ammunition.
When I first heard of this new ruling I was astounded and could not understand the basis for their decision, but after listening to the reasoning for the ruling I have to say they have foundation. Unfortunately S&W themselves have been promoting, advertising and publishing that the 25 round magazine was designed and manufactured for BOTH the handgun and the rifle... and they show in their catalogue for 2010 the handgun/pistol 15-22P with the 25 round magazine... so there was little choice but to classify the magazine as a handgun magazine and that meant it was limited to 10 rounds under Canadian law. Simply put S&W made a mistake in their advertising and promotion of the magazine.
RCMP have declared that the 25 round magazine is a "Prohibited Device" if it holds more than 10 shots. You may therefore be in possession of "Prohibited Devices".
It is our understanding that the CFO's acrross Canada are being notified of this decision next week. We have already sent a written request to the Ontario CFO to ask for their direction as to whether the magazines currently in country and in possession can be "pinned" to comply with this new ruling. We will update this thread when we have received an official response.
If you are in possession of these magazines you may wish to be pro-active and contact your CFO rather than wait for someone to contact you.
For those that may think we're just spreading rumour... I did get a written confirmation of this ruling and status directly from the RCMP Department involved... it is confirmed... it is NOT a mistake.
Also... this ruling ONLY affects the S&W 25 round rimfire magazine Part #404850000 and is NOT applicable to other makes or models of magazines.
Mark
