Pistol storage question

[KRider]

Just wanted some opinions on following the guidelines of safe storage of a pistol. I have a gun safe.
My interpretation of the laws are that in a safe designed for firearms, a pistol does not have to be locked and ammo can be kept in the same safe as long as its not loaded into the pistol. Is this correct in your interpretation also?

 

[marshall]

yes.

 

[jacotsmith]

Some people will argue what constitutes a "safe" vs. a "locked cabinet," which is what most people actually use, so to be extra super duper compliant add a trigger lock to avoid having to hire a lawyer to argue it for you. But yes, you can keep ammo and even loaded mags, not in the gun of course, in the "safe" as well.

 

[turbo_bird]

There is case law in Canada that basically any locking metal cabinet is considered a safe, after a guy that stored his registered full autos in I think a school locker and a converted filing cabinet won his court case. Look up a guy named Johnny Sombrero. My handguns are in a wooden gun cabinet, so I also trigger lock them.
Kristian

 

[silverfoxdj]

Yes that's my understanding again

 

[05RAV]

There is case law in Canada that basically any locking metal cabinet is considered a safe, after a guy that stored his registered full autos in I think a school locker and a converted filing cabinet won his court case. Look up a guy named Johnny Sombrero. My handguns are in a wooden gun cabinet, so I also trigger lock them.
Kristian

His real name is Harry Barnes. In short, Mr. Barnes was accused of storing prohibited guns (some of them automatic with bolt carriers not removed) in locked metal cabinets in essence school lockers which according to the prosecution were not "safes" (COURT FILE No.: Toronto Metro North Courthouse DATE: 2011·06·24 Citation: R. v. Barnes, 2011 ONCJ 419). A defence expert testified that defendant's gun lockers were, indeed, safes according to a definition of a safe as a "strong container, usually of metal, and provided with a secure lock for storing valuables". Eventually, Mr. Barnes was found not guilty. Sadly, Mr. Barnes passed away in 2016 in Toronto.

P.S. I guess that a word of caution must be added to the verdict R. v. Barnes that a locked metal cabinet is a safe. Even in Ontario any other judge could arrive at an opposite verdict. So far, it has not happened but who knows. I also noticed that the OP is from BC. In this context, the verdict R. v. Barnes from an Ontario judge is not valid for BC, i.e. a judge in BC could present a completely different interpretation what constitutes a safe and what does not. The problem is that word “safe” is not defined in the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations, the Firearms Act or in the Criminal Code.
All in all, I would be on a safe side and put trigger locks on handguns. Personally, that’s what I do.

 

[tiriaq]

Actual title before autocorrect - Pistol storage question

Just wanted some opinions on following the guidelines of safe storage of a pistol. I have a gun safe.
My interpretation of the laws are that in a safe designed for firearms, a pistol does not have to be locked and ammo can be kept in the same safe as long as its not loaded into the pistol. Is this correct in your interpretation also?

Just click on edit, click on advanced, and correct the title. Easy peasy.

 

[KRider]

Just click on edit, click on advanced, and correct the title. Easy peasy.

Haha thanks, I typed it on my phone and couldn't find it at the time

And thank you everyone for the replies. Most appreciated. Might just spring for that firearm lawyer insurance as well. After watching that high river documentary, it got my hairs up

 

[turbo_bird]

His real name is Harry Barnes. In short, Mr. Barnes was accused of storing prohibited guns (some of them automatic with bolt carriers not removed) in locked metal cabinets in essence school lockers which according to the prosecution were not "safes" (COURT FILE No.: Toronto Metro North Courthouse DATE: 2011·06·24 Citation: R. v. Barnes, 2011 ONCJ 419). A defence expert testified that defendant's gun lockers were, indeed, safes according to a definition of a safe as a "strong container, usually of metal, and provided with a secure lock for storing valuables". Eventually, Mr. Barnes was found not guilty. Sadly, Mr. Barnes passed away in 2016 in Toronto.

P.S. I guess that a word of caution must be added to the verdict R. v. Barnes that a locked metal cabinet is a safe. Even in Ontario any other judge could arrive at an opposite verdict. So far, it has not happened but who knows. I also noticed that the OP is from BC. In this context, the verdict R. v. Barnes from an Ontario judge is not valid for BC, i.e. a judge in BC could present a completely different interpretation what constitutes a safe and what does not. The problem is that word “safe” is not defined in the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations, the Firearms Act or in the Criminal Code.
All in all, I would be on a safe side and put trigger locks on handguns. Personally, that’s what I do.

Thanks for the extra info. I didn't realize it wasn't a decision that would help out others. It's unfortunate that our laws are so poorly worded, but I would suspect that's on purpose. Have enough grey areas, and anyone can be charged with something.
Kristian

 

[ted_dent]

Thanks for the extra info. I didn't realize it wasn't a decision that would help out others. It's unfortunate that our laws are so poorly worded, but I would suspect that's on purpose. Have enough grey areas, and anyone can be charged with something.
Kristian

It actually does help others. While a different judge may arrive at another conclusion the judge in the Barnes case did specify why the containers were considered "safes". Any time there is a precedent a judge is less likely to overturn it, especially if the original logic was sound.