Criminal Code

Marginal note:Unauthorized possession of firearm

• 91 (1) Subject to subsection (4), 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) in the case of a prohibited firearm or a restricted firearm, a registration certificate for it.

• 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 prohibited firearm or a restricted firearm, a registration certificate for it.

• (5) [Repealed, 2012, c. 6, s. 2]