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June 01, 2006

B.C. Gun Amnesty Announced for June 2006

Solicitor General John Les announced a month long, province-wide gun amnesty in B.C. yesterday. The amnesty will last for the month of June and is aimed at trying to collect some of the estimated 90,000 unregistered guns that are in the province. The B.C. gun amnesty follows on the heels of the announcement by the Federal Government on May 17, 2006 of a one year amnesty for non-restricted firearms (e.g., shotguns and rifles). For details about the federal program (which applies only to non-restricted firearms and does not apply to inviduals who have never held a firearms licence) visit the Canada Firearms Centre website.

The B.C. amnesty waives sections of the Criminal Code governing unauthorized possession of a firearm. However, it does not apply if the firearm has been used in the commission of a crime or to people detained or arrested by police in other circumstances. Click HERE to download a description of the B.C. program.

There are circumstances where the federal and B.C. gun amnesty programs do not apply. If you have questions or concerns regarding the proper procedure to follow to turn in unregistered firearms or about your rights and obligations if you possess an unregistered firearm you should seek proper legal advice to ensure your rights are protected.

Posted by BCCLB at June 1, 2006 07:36 PM