THE TRUE STATUS OF THE FACTORY STOCK OF THE WALTHER G22 RIFLE
1. The stock of the Walther G22 is a factory manufactured piece assembled with the barreled action and receiver of the firearm. It is a part which is integral to the safe operation of the rifle as intended by the manufacturer. It is obviously intended to increase the overall length of the firearm’s barrel and receiver group so that the firearm can be used for sporting purposes as intended by the manufacturer. The stock of the G22 is not an aftermarket supplied conversion designed to reduce the overall length of the firearm as envisioned in the Former Prohibited Weapons Order N0.9 (JUS – 92 – 0563-01 SOR/DORS). It in fact does exactly the opposite.
2. There are no aftermarket stocks produced for this firearm in either bull pup or conventional configurations designed to either reduce or increase the overall length of this firearm. The original factory manufactured stock is the only stock produced for Walther G-22, and therefore that stock cannot be regarded as an aftermarket replacement bull pup stock designed specifically to reduce the overall length of the firearm.
3. Since the firearm is not produced in any other configuration, the only reasonable conclusion is that it was clearly not the intent of the manufacturer of this firearm in the design of the stock to reduce the overall length of the firearm’s barrel and receiver group. The importer of the firearm was granted an import permit specifically for this firearm and the specifications of the firearm fell within the RCMP firearms classification of “non-restricted” at the time of importation, sale of the firearm, and the issuance of the registration to the owner, and it still does. There has not been any change to the law or to the design of the firearm in the meantime.
4. The RCMP argue that by removing the stock and surrendering it alone as a “prohibited device”, the firearm reverts to “non-restricted” status and a registration certificate can continue to be held for it. However, removing the stock as demanded by the RCMP in fact reduces the overall length of the firearm, and if the firearm can be fired with the stock removed as indicated by RCMP, this actually contributes to making the firearm more concealable – in direct opposition of the prohibited weapons order which states:
The intent of the order is to prohibit aftermarket bull pup stocks designed to reduce the overall length of the firearm which could arguably make a firearm more concealable than it would be with its original factory manufactured stock.
5. The assertion that the Walther G22 stock is a “prohibited device” and the demand for its surrender, when coupled with the non-existence of any other original manufacture or aftermarket stock to replace it renders the firearm useless for any purpose. The owner cannot simply attach another stock for none exist. This cannot have been a reasonable intent of the law.
In summary, the prohibited weapons order provision says that the stock, to qualify, must be one that “reduces the overall length of the firearm,” which the G22 stock does not do–and thus in the NFA’s opinion, the OIC does not cover the Walther G22 stock, so it is not a “prohibited device.”
It is clear that there are numerous firearms that have been classified as either restricted or prohibited for no better reason than someone believed that the firearm in question looked scary. The NFA calls for a complete re-evaluation of the lists of the firearms and other items listed as prohibited and restricted with a view to reducing the legal constraints on the peaceful use of these items of private property.
Canada’s National Firearms Association is Canada’s leading firearms rights advocacy organization.
For more information contact:
Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications, 604-753-8682 [email]Blair@nfa.ca[/email]
Sheldon Clare, President, 250-981-1841 [email]Sheldon_Clare@shaw.ca[/email]
Canada’s NFA toll-free number – 1-877-818-0393
NFA Website: www.nfa.ca
