Shotgun sidesaddles? Legal questions....

[River runner]

Just trying to make sense of it all.

At home.... can there be live ammunition in a sidesaddle of a non-restricted gun that is being stored safely unloaded and is trigger locked, or non-trigger locked but in a designated gun safe?

In your vehicle.... can there be live ammunition in a sidesaddle, on a non-restricted and unloaded gun that is being transported in, or riding on a motor vehicle?

Thank you.

 

[Tbss]

good question.

 

[MrSchultz]

I was told once by a very nice RCMP officer (an officer that owns firearms himself) that the ammo should be stored in a box, ammo can, cabinet - it's considered "lose ammo" stored in a side saddle. Anyway, that's not legal advice so don't listen to me please.

 

[supernova]

*Not Meant As Legal Advice*

If the ammo is touching the gun then it is considered loaded. You can leave loaded mags beside a rifle or pistol in the safe but if they make contact the gun is considered loaded.

 

[easy]

Refer to the FA and and CC and avoid further speculation and hearsay.

The Firearms Act defines:

“unloaded”, in respect of a firearm, means that any propellant, projectile or cartridge that can be discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech or firing chamber of the firearm nor in the cartridge magazine attached to or inserted into the firearm.

The Criminal Code defines:

"cartridge magazine” « chargeur » “cartridge magazine” means a device or container from which ammunition may be fed into the firing chamber of a firearm;

A detachable magazine is neither a breech, nor chamber, nor a magazine attached to a gun. Neither is a sidesaddle, strap-on sleeve of any kind, or a SpeedFeed TAC III stock for that matter.

In the context of the CC definition of "cartridge magazine", a shell cannot be fed into the chamber from a sidesaddle.

Just make sure the gun and fodder is locked up in a safe.

In regards to transporting ammunition, I suggest you consult the Explosives Act.