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Criminal Code

Version of section 91 from 2008-05-01 to 2012-04-04:


Marginal note:Unauthorized possession of firearm

  •  (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), every person commits an offence who possesses a firearm without being the holder of

    • (a) a licence under which the person may possess it; and

    • (b) a registration certificate for the firearm.

  • Marginal note:Unauthorized possession of prohibited weapon or restricted weapon

    (2) Subject to subsection (4), every person commits an offence who possesses a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, other than a replica firearm, or any prohibited ammunition, without being the holder of a licence under which the person may possess it.

  • Marginal note:Punishment

    (3) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2)

    • (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or

    • (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Exceptions

    (4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to

    • (a) a person who possesses a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or any prohibited ammunition while the person is under the direct and immediate supervision of a person who may lawfully possess it, for the purpose of using it in a manner in which the supervising person may lawfully use it; or

    • (b) a person who comes into possession of a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or any prohibited ammunition by the operation of law and who, within a reasonable period after acquiring possession of it,

      • (i) lawfully disposes of it, or

      • (ii) obtains a licence under which the person may possess it and, in the case of a firearm, a registration certificate for the firearm.

  • Marginal note:Borrowed firearm for sustenance

    (5) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who possesses a firearm that is neither a prohibited firearm nor a restricted firearm and who is not the holder of a registration certificate for the firearm if the person

    • (a) has borrowed the firearm;

    • (b) is the holder of a licence under which the person may possess it; and

    • (c) is in possession of the firearm to hunt or trap in order to sustain the person or the person’s family.

  • R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 91
  • 1991, c. 28, s. 7, c. 40, ss. 5, 36
  • 1995, c. 22, s. 10, c. 39, s. 139
  • 2008, c. 6, s. 4

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