Canadian Criminal Sentencing/Offences/Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm
Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm | |
---|---|
s. 95 of the Crim. Code | |
Election / Plea | |
Crown Election | Hybrid |
Jurisdiction | Prov. Court SC Judge + PI (I) SC Jury + PI (I) (536(2)) |
Maximum | 1 year jail or $5,000 fine |
Indictable Dispositions | |
Minimum | 3 years jail(first) 5 years jail (second or more) |
Maximum | 10 years jail |
References | |
Offence Elements Sentence Principles Sentence Digests | |
Legislation
editpossession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
95. (1) Subject to subsection (3), every person commits an offence who, in any place, possesses a loaded prohibited firearm or restricted firearm, or an unloaded prohibited firearm or restricted firearm together with readily accessible ammunition that is capable of being discharged in the firearm, unless the person is the holder of
- (a) an authorization or a licence under which the person may possess the firearm in that place; and
- (b) the registration certificate for the firearm.
Punishment
Punishment(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1)
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years; or
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 95; 1991, c. 28, s. 8, c. 40, ss. 9, 37; 1993, c. 25, s. 93; 1995, c. 39, s. 139; 2008, c. 6, s. 8.
– CCC
The mandatory minimum came into force on May 1, 2008. This does not apply to offences pre-dating the amendment. Subsequent offences include any conviction under s. 85, 95, 96, 98, 98.1, 99, 100, 102 or 103.
Application
editPrinciples
editAs with all mandatory minimums, the minimum is an "inflationary floor" which sets a minimal punishment for the "best" offender.[1]
The "possession of a loaded firearms is inherently dangerous. When such weapons are allowed in the community, death and serious injury are literally at hand, only an impulse and a trigger-pull away."[2]
- ↑ R. v. Morrisey, 2000 SCC 39, [2000] 2 SCR 90, at para 75
- ↑ R. v. Chin, 2009 ABCA 226 (CanLII) at para. 10
Factors
editAggravating factors:
- Type of firearm (particularly how dangerous it is)
- the firearm was stolen or had serial numbers removed
- children nearby
- drugs nearby
- suggestion of drug dealing or organized crime
Mitigating factors:
- guilty plea
- remorse
- no prior criminal record
Ancillary Orders
edit- Weapons Prohibition
- Forfeiture of firearm (if seized by police)
- DNA Order
Offence-related Probationary Terms
edit- not to possess weapons, ammunition, or explosive substances