For Lawyers

For Lawyers

Firearms control law is complex, and the results of cases are often surprising. There are 137 pages of dense and complex law in the Firearms Act and the firearms sections of the Criminal Code. There were 142 pages of dense and complex Regulations in a book published by the government in 1998.

Following the making of the Regulations of 1998, more Regulations have been made and brought into force every year. Over 30 Orders in Council have made it impossible to keep track of what the Regulations say, and which ones were in force on any particular day.

The various sections of the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code interact in ways that are not at all obvious. Then they interact with the Regulations in even more complex
ways.

It is not reasonably possible to publish anything in this area for the general guidance of lawyers or persons accused of violating a section of the Firearms Act or Criminal Code. It is not possible to publish anything for the general guidance of lawyers and persons accused of violating a Regulation.

The complex interactions, and the shifts caused by apparently minor details in a particular case, make it very necessary for the lawyer and/or the accused to deal directly with the National Firearms Association Legal office.

In the majority of cases brought to the attention of the National Firearms Association Legal office, we have been able to assist. That assistance often results in the dropping of the charge before trial. It also often results in the accused being found innocent of the offence, although the Crown prosecutor thought that his case was an iron-clad certain winner.

Lawyers have to learn vast amounts of law. The National Firearms Association is a narrow specialist in ONE area of the law — firearms law. An average lawyer has to spend long hours researching a firearms case, but if that same lawyer calls National Firearms Association, he will find that the research has already been done for him. It will probably pop out of his fax machine within minutes.

National Firearms Association Legal Department has long experience with firearms cases. It has supplied expert witnesses and briefings for one murder trial and one attempted murder trial, as well as innumerable firearms control law cases. The National Firearms Association has a very good track record; if the accused has not done something that is completely unjustifiable, The National Firearms Association offers a good chance to have him walk out of court as an innocent person.

If you have a case involving firearms, it is well worth your while to phone (780)439-1394 between 8 and 11 AM, Mountain time, on a weekday.

If you are interested in promoting your practice in the Canadian Firearms Journal, you can join Canada’s National Firearms Association as a Business Member, for $60 annually. Click the Become a Member Link on this page.