"Just wondering how he stored it. As I only have a Steal lock box bolted to my floor. Do you need more?"
If you in fact own firearms AND a computer, you have NO excuse - BLOODY NONE - for not looking up your storage and transport requirements on the justice website:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-11.6/SOR-98-209/index.html
So:
STORAGE OF NON-RESTRICTED FIREARMS
5. (1) An individual may store a non-restricted firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is
(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device,
(ii) rendered inoperable by the removal of the bolt or bolt-carrier, or
(iii) stored in a container, receptacle or room that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into; and
(c) it is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored, together with or separately from the firearm, in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into.
(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to any individual who stores a non-restricted firearm temporarily if the individual reasonably requires it for the control of predators or other animals in a place where it may be discharged in accordance with all applicable Acts of Parliament and of the legislature of a province, regulations made under such Acts, and municipal by-laws.
(3) Paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) do not apply to an individual who stores a non-restricted firearm in a location that is in a remote wilderness area that is not subject to any visible or otherwise reasonably ascertainable use incompatible with hunting."
Notice that that is 'storage'. If you are cleaning it, dry firing it, or just plain studying it (looking at it) it is in 'use'. A firearm in use does not have to meet storage requirements - BUT, you cannot pull 28 guns out of your room/locker/closet/safe, take the locks off/put the bolts in and lay them on your floor, you must be in control of any firearms that are not stored.
Police will always lay charges against the owner as a matter of political policy. One owner was charged after a B&E crew left his guns on the floor of his house after giving up on trying to pry the trigger locke off. Once the judge found out that the doors to his house were locked before the B&E, he threw out the careless storage charges.
If ytou are charged, go thriough the NFA or CSSA to find a lawyer familiar with fighting and winning firearms cases. The vast majority of these cases are winnable.
But, having said that, it is best to obey the storage and transport regulations to the letter. It will make your lawyers job much easier.
Tom
If you in fact own firearms AND a computer, you have NO excuse - BLOODY NONE - for not looking up your storage and transport requirements on the justice website:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-11.6/SOR-98-209/index.html
So:
STORAGE OF NON-RESTRICTED FIREARMS
5. (1) An individual may store a non-restricted firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is
(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device,
(ii) rendered inoperable by the removal of the bolt or bolt-carrier, or
(iii) stored in a container, receptacle or room that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into; and
(c) it is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored, together with or separately from the firearm, in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into.
(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to any individual who stores a non-restricted firearm temporarily if the individual reasonably requires it for the control of predators or other animals in a place where it may be discharged in accordance with all applicable Acts of Parliament and of the legislature of a province, regulations made under such Acts, and municipal by-laws.
(3) Paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) do not apply to an individual who stores a non-restricted firearm in a location that is in a remote wilderness area that is not subject to any visible or otherwise reasonably ascertainable use incompatible with hunting."
Notice that that is 'storage'. If you are cleaning it, dry firing it, or just plain studying it (looking at it) it is in 'use'. A firearm in use does not have to meet storage requirements - BUT, you cannot pull 28 guns out of your room/locker/closet/safe, take the locks off/put the bolts in and lay them on your floor, you must be in control of any firearms that are not stored.
Police will always lay charges against the owner as a matter of political policy. One owner was charged after a B&E crew left his guns on the floor of his house after giving up on trying to pry the trigger locke off. Once the judge found out that the doors to his house were locked before the B&E, he threw out the careless storage charges.
If ytou are charged, go thriough the NFA or CSSA to find a lawyer familiar with fighting and winning firearms cases. The vast majority of these cases are winnable.
But, having said that, it is best to obey the storage and transport regulations to the letter. It will make your lawyers job much easier.
Tom