what is proper legal way for storing pistols
- Thread starter bangbang
- Start date
Not in a safe or a vault.
If a restricted gun is stored in safe or vault it doesn't have to have a 'disabling' device attached e.g. trigger lock. You can have an empty (no ammo in) gun on the same shelve as your loaded mags stored in a safe or vault.
If a restricted gun is stored in safe or vault it doesn't have to have a 'disabling' device attached e.g. trigger lock. You can have an empty (no ammo in) gun on the same shelve as your loaded mags stored in a safe or vault.
604shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Neither here nor there.
Safe = unloaded only
Cabinet = unloaded AND trigger locked
Cabinet = unloaded AND trigger locked
Mods, can we please have some sort of sticky available to cover this stuff? It seems like people ask this every couple of weeks across the forums. Maybe a link to the PDF for storage could be placed in a the newbie section.
Just a thought?
Just a thought?
Absolutely!!!!!
Here you go, bangbang:
http://members.shaw.ca/lineofsight/storage.pdf
Page 2 refers to the rules for individuals. I recommend printing off a copy of this page and keeping it in your safe/cabinet, and in any vehicle you might use to transport firearms.
Paul
^
IMO the law is not clear about ammo storage. If you don't have a safe (you probably won't unless you are a homeowner) then you need to store the gun in a locked case that is not clear or easily breakable, and then trigger or cable locked through the action of the pistol. As for the ammo, it just says not stored with the gun... thats it. Pretty vague IMO, you can't be sure if you are storing it properly if its say, in a closet on a shelf away from the gun.
IMO the law is not clear about ammo storage. If you don't have a safe (you probably won't unless you are a homeowner) then you need to store the gun in a locked case that is not clear or easily breakable, and then trigger or cable locked through the action of the pistol. As for the ammo, it just says not stored with the gun... thats it. Pretty vague IMO, you can't be sure if you are storing it properly if its say, in a closet on a shelf away from the gun.
Yeah, that's the biggest problem with the Firearm Act- it's vague and open to interpretation at times. That being said, if you've got your handgun locked up as per the storage regs, and your ammo is not visible, I would say you're good to go.
As far as homeowners being the only ones with safes, there are plenty of smaller safes available for people who are for some reason unable to acquire a full-size gun safe.
Paul
As far as homeowners being the only ones with safes, there are plenty of smaller safes available for people who are for some reason unable to acquire a full-size gun safe.
Paul
Yah, agreed.
Personally I rent and have moved over 20 times in my lifetime. I would not consider buying even a small safe because I know moving it would be a massive pain. I don't own lots of weapons though so not having one is no big deal.
Its the part about being away from the gun that is nebulous. How much is away? Across the room? Another room? Its not clear at all what qualifies as "away", and thats the last thing you want if the police are checking your home or something. What you think is "away" might not be what they think is. Thats all I'm sayin'
Personally I rent and have moved over 20 times in my lifetime. I would not consider buying even a small safe because I know moving it would be a massive pain. I don't own lots of weapons though so not having one is no big deal.
Yeah that much is clear but if you don't have a safe or cabinet the ammo probably won't fit, especially if you have lots.
Its the part about being away from the gun that is nebulous. How much is away? Across the room? Another room? Its not clear at all what qualifies as "away", and thats the last thing you want if the police are checking your home or something. What you think is "away" might not be what they think is. Thats all I'm sayin'
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
As per the law
For those that don't readily know, and because CGNers making up definitions for things in the regulations is sometimes not helpful...
The Firearms Act
Sections 117-119 (at least) allow for the creation of "Regulations"
What we now currently have is SOR/98-209 March 24, 1998 titled:
Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of
Firearms by Individuals Regulations (this is pursuant to the firearms act)
This can be found online at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Regulation/S/SOR-98-209.pdf
The Firearms Act can be found online at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Statute/F/F-11.6.pdf
In the regulations, Section 6 specifically refer to "STORAGE OF RESTRICTED FIREARMS"
It looks like this:
One has to understand the implication of the "and"s and "or"s for each paragraph and how they relate, but it's not too bad. Basically this regulation is fairly wishy washy, though as there are terms inside that are not defined. (like 'safe', 'vault', 'modified', 'readily broken open or into' and 'separately from the firearm' etc.)
Additionally, a CGNer, CFC or CFO employee, judge, wife, neighbor or law enforcement officer will SURELY interpret it differently than the others. Until specific examples within case law occur (a judge makes a decision about something that can be referenced in later cases - a precedence), we basically have to fend for ourselves with the interpretation.
Read the 'Regulations', ignoring folks home grown definitions of this and that, and make an intelligent decision about a storage method that is comfortable for you and the occupants in your dwelling. By all means solicit information on how others currently store them as this may make you more or less comfortable.
I currently have a nice floor safe (inside dimensions are about 8.5X11" and 10" tall-ish) that was intended to protect documents in case of fire. I lined the inside with that black toolbox rubber matting (a roll from crappy tire) to prevent dings against the inside. It has an electronic combo that I can readily open in about 5 seconds and I happen to keep some ammo in it (2 loaded mags) as well. The handguns do not have a trigger lock while in the safe. I store other ammo in a locked plastic-type tool box near the safe, and other ammo in a completely different room in a cardboard box.
When transporting to the range I put a trigger lock on the handguns and put them in a handgun case (from crappy tire) and put a lock on it. No ammo goes in the box while transporting. My ammo goes in it's normal locked plastic toolbox. I think I go the "extra little bit" for transporting the ammo because that is the most likely time that I may have an incident with a LEO that for some reason may insist he look through my vehicle and find it.
Anyway, that is what I do, and doing it makes me comfortable, and I feel am am following the stated regulations.
For those that don't readily know, and because CGNers making up definitions for things in the regulations is sometimes not helpful...
The Firearms Act
Sections 117-119 (at least) allow for the creation of "Regulations"
What we now currently have is SOR/98-209 March 24, 1998 titled:
Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of
Firearms by Individuals Regulations (this is pursuant to the firearms act)
This can be found online at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Regulation/S/SOR-98-209.pdf
The Firearms Act can be found online at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Statute/F/F-11.6.pdf
In the regulations, Section 6 specifically refer to "STORAGE OF RESTRICTED FIREARMS"
It looks like this:
One has to understand the implication of the "and"s and "or"s for each paragraph and how they relate, but it's not too bad. Basically this regulation is fairly wishy washy, though as there are terms inside that are not defined. (like 'safe', 'vault', 'modified', 'readily broken open or into' and 'separately from the firearm' etc.)
Additionally, a CGNer, CFC or CFO employee, judge, wife, neighbor or law enforcement officer will SURELY interpret it differently than the others. Until specific examples within case law occur (a judge makes a decision about something that can be referenced in later cases - a precedence), we basically have to fend for ourselves with the interpretation.
Read the 'Regulations', ignoring folks home grown definitions of this and that, and make an intelligent decision about a storage method that is comfortable for you and the occupants in your dwelling. By all means solicit information on how others currently store them as this may make you more or less comfortable.
I currently have a nice floor safe (inside dimensions are about 8.5X11" and 10" tall-ish) that was intended to protect documents in case of fire. I lined the inside with that black toolbox rubber matting (a roll from crappy tire) to prevent dings against the inside. It has an electronic combo that I can readily open in about 5 seconds and I happen to keep some ammo in it (2 loaded mags) as well. The handguns do not have a trigger lock while in the safe. I store other ammo in a locked plastic-type tool box near the safe, and other ammo in a completely different room in a cardboard box.
When transporting to the range I put a trigger lock on the handguns and put them in a handgun case (from crappy tire) and put a lock on it. No ammo goes in the box while transporting. My ammo goes in it's normal locked plastic toolbox. I think I go the "extra little bit" for transporting the ammo because that is the most likely time that I may have an incident with a LEO that for some reason may insist he look through my vehicle and find it.
Anyway, that is what I do, and doing it makes me comfortable, and I feel am am following the stated regulations.
Actually I've got a safe that I got at Staples for 120 +/- $ seven or eight years back. It's not a one-hander by any means but it's way handy(I packed it in a travel trailer). Stores 3 pistols, a small safety deposit box( jewelry and important papers) and other misc stuff.
It fits perfectly on top of the Crappy Tire gun safe for the long guns. I've been meaning to clean them both out and bolt them together. It would make an unweildy enough unit that is would take two monster Roughneck's to steal it.
I had mine long before I had pistols. I think I've always had stuff of one type or another that deserved to be kept from prying eyes. Papers, cash, personal items, medicines that needed to be unaccessible to children.
And it's kinda cool too...
It doesn't mean I agree with Canada's sometimes excessive gun laws.
It just seemed like a good idea
