I was alerted to an excellent post regarding the importance of properly storing your non-restricted firearms (ie. hunting rifles) while transporting them. A couple of hunters were pulled over for a possible traffic violation when the RCMP officer detected their hunting rifles in the back seat. That was when things got dicey.

You can read about the story here. In fact, you should follow the link and read that article.

The short version is that the firearms were being transported correctly and the RCMP officer was wrong. The moral of the story is to make sure you follow proper transporting guidelines this upcoming hunting season. If you are certain of the rules, then you will know how to better handle a similar situation. The guidelines from the story are as follows,

“In order to meet all legal requirements for transportation of non-restricted firearms in this case:

1. The firearms must be unloaded – both of our firearms were unloaded and as additional safety features, but not required by law,

a) the actions were open so any third party who knew anything about firearms could see they were unloaded and not in the battery or ready-to-fire position.

b) the firearms were kept below the dash and out of view so anyone walking or driving by would not be alarmed. The firearms could only be seen if someone came up to the vehicle and looked down. This, by the way, is a common method for local firearms owners and hunters to transport their firearms.

2. The vehicle must be attended by at least one individual who has a valid PAL or POL – in our case both of us had valid PALs and were in attendance. If we left the vehicle which was a pick-up truck, the firearms would have to be placed out of sight and the area they are in must be locked (for example covering the firearms with a blanket or jacket and locking the cab of the pick-up.) It is not a legal requirement that a non-restricted firearm be disabled by a locking mechanism while it is being transported.

3. The firearms should be registered even though the time frame legally requiring registration of non-restricted firearms has been extended by the current government until May, 2008. – Regardless both our firearms were registered.”

The actual regulations can be found here.

Carefull everyone!