Provided the RCMP ponies up the required information in a timely manner, we should have some answers in ninety days.
Excerpt from above story,
Greg Kvisle has reclaimed two guns that he says were hidden in a basement storage room when he evacuated.
“I’m not buying this story from the police about taking firearms left on the kitchen table,” Kvisle said.
“The truth is they kicked down locked doors and went digging through people’s closets.”
::
Unfortunately I suspect the RCMP will be neither timely nor truthful. They seem to have an ingrained culture of secrecy and lies. Some people may not like some of the sources in the links below. But take the time to read them. It's not just the incidents that bother me. It's how the force handles them after they happen. And no I don't hate RCMP. Just expect much better then this from them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Dzieka%C5%84ski_Taser_incident
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2006/12/07/arar-rcmp.html
http://www.bcpolicecomplaints.org/ross_spenard.html
http://injusticebusters.org/06/RCMP2006.shtml
Stupid question since this thread seems to have turned into the guns taken issue---if a gun is stored correctly, how would anyone be able to open the storage unit. No owning a gun, I had thought that if a gun was locked up correctly then no one but a person with a key could open it m
The issue at hand is proper storage. My guns are normally locked In a safe/vault bolted to the floor/walls in the basement. In preparation for a flood, I would move my valuables upstairs : tv, gym equipment, stored stuff, furniture and guns. I may not be able to move my several 100# safe upstairs though so I may accept to sacrifice it to flood waters if need be. Now what do I do with my guns? I have a smaller safe I can move up and store my restricted guns inside. But the hunting rifles? Put them in the closet, out of sight, trigger locks on and lock the house's door. I assume this is roughly the story of many High River residents. There's nothing illegal with that, but the RCMP folks took issue with that and decided to go barge through every closets of every houses looking for "unsecured" guns.
also, while an actual "safe" is difficukt to get into without heavy tools and cutters, a simple gun cabinet can (and from i understand WERE) be pried open with a crowbar and some elbow grease.
See you all after.
Because this discussion was so much fun...
This ( http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/09/06/edmonton-rifle-on-lrt-charges.html ) is an example of why doing something legal can still be stupid. In today's day and age, carrying a gun openly will just freak people out as everyone has Schools and Theatres shooting in mind. Frankly, despite being a pro gun guy, I'd be the first one to confront the guy / call authorities if a dude had a gun in the subway downtown Edmonton even if it is dead obvious that the bolt is out (then it might be just a polite chat to figure out what the heck "hey man, nice gun, which range are you going to?")
And please, spare me the excuse of : "so a guy doesn't own a car and wants to take a rifle to the gunsmith, what is he to do?" (Answer : put it in a freakin carrying case at least!"
So, the idea of the "non restricted walk to the range" to "prove a point" is pure idiocy...
I agree with heliopilot, that guy in the article was asking for trouble, it's not a common sight in the city so it's going to raise eyebrows. Just because you think you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD. I think that this was irresponsible, however, I also think that this may have been intentional and an attempt to force the hand of the police and bring this before the courts so a challenge to the laws can be made. Much like the poach/ hunt that was organized in 2007 down by cypress hills.
If i read the article correctly, the guy rec'd multiple charges including unlawful possession of a firearm (didn't have a license) and breach of probation (shouldn't have had it in the first place as part of his probation conditions.)
I think this is less about lawfully carrying a gun whether socially acceptable or not...and more about a convicted criminal illegally having a gun, whether he was transporting it legally or not. As a lawful gun owner, this raises flags as to how a criminal got a gun in the first place....
Just an interesting little side point...I've heard a couple firearms instructors talk about the social implications of carrying a firearm in Toronto. The general public doesn't always differentiate between legal owners, etc. they just see the racey headlines....and the whole gun community suffers. But they've mentioned that if you want to avoid the "social judgement" don't carry a gun case...carry your gun in a trombone case, or something of similar size. Carry it legally, but don't flaunt it.
https://www.internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=7738
My brother is anti gun. When I told him about the story of the senior citizen who had a concealed carry permit shooting the robbers in the internet cafe (in the USA) the first words out of his mouth were "And how many innocent bystanders got shot?" The answer "Zero." served up a big old glass of STFU. That said, these are the people that you have to get past on your march to the range. Rest assured that cell phones will be dialing 911. Rest assured that police in that jurisdiction will be attending the march and illegally confiscating fire arms because they do not know that part of the criminal code well enough to avoid placating the 'anti firearm crowd'.
I'm not saying 'don't do it' but will say if you choose to do the march, at the very least have copies of the criminal code that apply, on your person and I would also suggest you try very hard to have a gun loving lawyer in the ranks and marching with you to help avoid the illegal arrest of participants.
I have walked similar planks in the past and have paid a hefty price for doing so. Behaving 'outside of the norm' does have it difficulties. Be prepared to face them.
Than= I’d rather be rich than poor.
Then= I first became hungry then I ate.
There = She is there now.
Their = They have their things.
They're = They're going to the mall.
To = They came to the house.
Too = That's too bad.
I just want to throw my hat in the ring on a slightly different take here - I know it's old (I saw it on the portal page).
Legality and ballsiness aside, how many people do you want to advertise that you own firearms to?
If it's the world, cool. If the goal is to fly under the radar, maybe not so cool.
I can't do anything about the fact that neighbors see me loading firearms into the vehicles to head to the range. Some of them have become more willing to accept guns and shooting after they see me dressed up like John Wayne for CAS and because I'm a gardener and have fluffy pets and volunteer - I'm not scary crazy gun people, and that opened the door. I also grew up somewhere that it is still somewhat normal for there to be guns in gun racks during hunting seasons, although theft is cutting down on that (we have such different laws still, although that, too, is changing).
Still, even if the gun is locked up well, somebody knows there are valuables and have extra incentive to come to my home. Once in my home, they see all kinds of things, even if they can't get in the safes and my guns never get turned on an innocent cop or civilian. I try to limit that kind of advertisement and exposure, regardless of my feelings about public opinion. I'm also the kind who folds expensive TV and firearm boxes inside out and takes them to the recycling dumpster after it's dark, limit the size of orders so nobody ever gets curious about all the stuff coming in, ask for plain boxes in shipping when possible, and I drive a nondescript vehicle, so I'm silly in a lot of ways about attracting attention. I can deal with it if it comes, but why? Why put myself in the position to take another life or make explanations or come to law enforcement attention if I don't have to?