Bill C-68

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Royal Assent

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	Offences relating to Lost, Destroyed or Defaced Weapons, etc.
Losing or finding	105. (1) Every person commits an offence who
	(a) having lost a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, any prohibited ammunition, an authorization, a licence or a registration certificate, or having had it stolen from the person's possession, does not with reasonable despatch report the loss to a peace officer, to a firearms officer or a chief firearms officer; or
	(b) on finding a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or any prohibited ammunition that the person has reasonable grounds to believe has been lost or abandoned, does not with reasonable despatch deliver it to a peace officer, a firearms officer or a chief firearms officer or report the finding to a peace officer, a firearms officer or a chief firearms officer.
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 not exceeding five years; or
	(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Destroying	106. (1) Every person commits an offence who
	(a) after destroying any firearm, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device or prohibited ammunition, or
	(b) on becoming aware of the destruction of any firearm, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device or prohibited ammunition that was in the person's possession before its destruction,
	does not with reasonable despatch report the destruction to a peace officer, firearms officer or chief firearms officer.
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 not exceeding five years; or
	(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
False statements	107. (1) Every person commits an offence who knowingly makes, before a peace officer, firearms officer or chief firearms officer, a false report or statement concerning the loss, theft or destruction of a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, any prohibited ammunition, an authorization, a licence or a registration certificate.
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 not exceeding five years; or
	(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Definition of ``report'' or ``statement''	(3) In this section, ``report'' or ``statement'' means an assertion of fact, opinion, belief or knowledge, whether material or not and whether admissible or not.
Tampering with serial number	108. (1) Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies on the person,
	(a) alters, defaces or removes a serial number on a firearm; or
	(b) possesses a firearm knowing that the serial number on it has been altered, defaced or removed.
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 not exceeding five years; or
	(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Exception	(3) No person is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1)(b) by reason only of possessing a firearm the serial number on which has been altered, defaced or removed, where that serial number has been replaced and a registration certificate in respect of the firearm has been issued setting out a new serial number for the firearm.
Evidence	(4) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), evidence that a person possesses a firearm the serial number on which has been wholly or partially obliterated otherwise than through normal use over time is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the person possesses the firearm knowing that the serial number on it has been altered, defaced or removed.
	Prohibition Orders
Mandatory prohibition order	109. (1) Where a person is convicted, or discharged under section 736, of
	(a) an indictable offence in the commission of which violence against a person was used, threatened or attempted and for which the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for ten years or more,
	(b) an offence under subsection 85(1) (using firearm in commission of offence), subsection 85(2) (using imitation firearm in commission of offence), 95(1) (possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition), 99(1) (weapons trafficking), 100(1) (possession for purpose of weapons trafficking), 102(1) (making automatic firearm), 103(1) (importing or exporting knowing it is unauthorized) or section 264 (criminal harassment),
	(c) an offence relating to the contravention of subsection 39(1) or (2) or 48(1) or (2) of the Food and Drugs Act or subsection 4(1) or (2) or 5(1) of the Narcotic Control Act, or
	(d) an offence that involves, or the subject-matter of which is, a firearm, a cross-bow, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, any ammunition, any prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance and, at the time of the offence, the person was prohibited by any order made under this Act or any other Act of Parliament from possessing any such thing,
	the court that sentences the person or directs that the person be discharged, as the case may be, shall, in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for that offence or any other condition prescribed in the order of discharge, make an order prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition and explosive substance during the period specified in the order as determined in accordance with subsection (2) or (3), as the case may be.
Duration of prohibition order - first offence	(2) An order made under subsection (1) shall, in the case of a first conviction for or discharge from the offence to which the order relates, prohibit the person from possessing
	(a) any firearm, other than a prohibited firearm or restricted firearm, and any cross-bow, restricted weapon, ammunition and explosive substance during the period that
	(i) begins on the day on which the order is made, and
	(ii) ends not earlier than ten years after the person's release from imprisonment after conviction for the offence or, if the person is not then imprisoned or subject to imprisonment, after the person's conviction for or discharge from the offence; and
	(b) any prohibited firearm, restricted firearm, prohibited weapon, prohibited device and prohibited ammunition for life.
Duration of prohibition order - subsequent offences	(3) An order made under subsection (1) shall, in any case other than a case described in subsection (2), prohibit the person from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, restricted weapon, ammunition and explosive substance for life.
Definition of ``release from imprisonment ''	(4) In subparagraph (2)(a)(ii), ``release from imprisonment'' means release from confinement by reason of expiration of sentence, commencement of statutory release or grant of parole.
Application of ss. 113 to 117	(5) Sections 113 to 117 apply in respect of every order made under subsection (1).
Discretionary prohibition order	110. (1) Where a person is convicted, or discharged under section 736, of
	(a) an offence, other than an offence referred to in any of paragraphs 109(1)(a), (b) and (c), in the commission of which violence against a person was used, threatened or attempted, or
	(b) an offence that involves, or the subject-matter of which is, a firearm, a cross-bow, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance and, at the time of the offence, the person was not prohibited by any order made under this Act or any other Act of Parliament from possessing any such thing,
	the court that sentences the person or directs that the person be discharged, as the case may be, shall, in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for that offence or any other condition prescribed in the order of discharge, consider whether it is desirable, in the interests of the safety of the person or of any other person, to make an order prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all such things, and where the court decides that it is so desirable, the court shall so order.
Duration of prohibition order	(2) An order made under subsection (1) against a person begins on the day on which the order is made and ends not later than ten years after the person's release from imprisonment after conviction for the offence to which the order relates or, if the person is not then imprisoned or subject to imprisonment, after the person's conviction for or discharge from the offence.
Reasons	(3) Where the court does not make an order under subsection (1), or where the court does make such an order but does not prohibit the possession of everything referred to in that subsection, the court shall include in the record a statement of the court's reasons for not doing so.
Definition of ``release from imprisonment ''	(4) In subsection (2), ``release from imprisonment'' means release from confinement by reason of expiration of sentence, commencement of statutory release or grant of parole.
Application of ss. 113 to 117	(5) Sections 113 to 117 apply in respect of every order made under subsection (1).
Application for prohibition order	111. (1) A peace officer, firearms officer or chief firearms officer may apply to a provincial court judge for an order prohibiting a person from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all such things, where the peace officer, firearms officer or chief firearms officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is not desirable in the interests of the safety of the person against whom the order is sought or of any other person that the person against whom the order is sought should possess any such thing.
Date for hearing and notice	(2) On receipt of an application made under subsection (1), the provincial court judge shall fix a date for the hearing of the application and direct that notice of the hearing be given, in such manner as the provincial court judge may specify, to the person against whom the order is sought.
Hearing of application	(3) Subject to subsection (4), at the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), the provincial court judge shall hear all relevant evidence presented by or on behalf of the applicant and the person against whom the order is sought.
Where hearing may proceed ex parte	(4) A provincial court judge may proceed ex parte to hear and determine an application made under subsection (1) in the absence of the person against whom the order is sought in the same circumstances as those in which a summary conviction court may, under Part XXVII, proceed with a trial in the absence of the defendant.
Prohibition order	(5) Where, at the conclusion of a hearing of an application made under subsection (1), the provincial court judge is satisfied that the circumstances referred to in that subsection exist, the provincial court judge shall make an order prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all such things, for such period, not exceeding five years, as is specified in the order, beginning on the day on which the order is made.
Reasons	(6) Where a provincial court judge does not make an order under subsection (1), or where a provincial court judge does make such an order but does not prohibit the possession of everything referred to in that subsection, the provincial court judge shall include in the record a statement of the court's reasons.
Application of ss. 113 to 117	(7) Sections 113 to 117 apply in respect of every order made under subsection (5).
Appeal by person or Attorney General	(8) Where a provincial court judge makes an order under subsection (5), the person to whom the order relates, or the Attorney General, may appeal to the superior court against the order.
Appeal by Attorney General	(9) Where a provincial court judge does not make an order under subsection (5), the Attorney General may appeal to the superior court against the decision not to make an order.
Application of Part XXVII to appeals	(10) The provisions of Part XXVII, except sections 785 to 812, 816 to 819 and 829 to 838, apply in respect of an appeal made under subsection (8) or (9), with such modifications as the circumstances require and as if each reference in that Part to the appeal court were a reference to the superior court.
Definition of ``provincial court judge''	(11) In this section and sections 112, 117.011 and 117.012, ``provincial court judge'' means a provincial court judge having jurisdiction in the territorial division where the person against whom the application for an order was brought resides.
Revocation of prohibition order under s. 111(5)	112. A provincial court judge may, on application by the person against whom an order is made under subsection 111(5), revoke the order if satisfied that the circumstances for which it was made have ceased to exist.
Lifting of prohibition order for sustenance or employment	113. (1) Where a person who is or will be a person against whom a prohibition order is made establishes to the satisfaction of a competent authority that
	(a) the person needs a firearm or restricted weapon to hunt or trap in order to sustain the person or the person's family, or
	(b) a prohibition order against the person would constitute a virtual prohibition against employment in the only vocation open to the person,
	the competent authority may, notwithstanding that the person is or will be subject to a prohibition order, make an order authorizing a chief firearms officer or the Registrar to issue, in accordance with such terms and conditions as the competent authority considers appropriate, an authorization, a licence or a registration certificate, as the case may be, to the person for sustenance or employment purposes.
Factors	(2) A competent authority may make an order under subsection (1) only after taking the following factors into account:
	(a) the criminal record, if any, of the person;
	(b) the nature and circumstances of the offence, if any, in respect of which the prohibition order was or will be made; and
	(c) the safety of the person and of other persons.
Effect of order	(3) Where an order is made under subsection (1),
	(a) an authorization, a licence or a registration certificate may not be denied to the person in respect of whom the order was made solely on the basis of a prohibition order against the person or the commission of an offence in respect of which a prohibition order was made against the person; and
	(b) an authorization and a licence may, for the duration of the order, be issued to the person in respect of whom the order was made only for sustenance or employment purposes and, where the order sets out terms and conditions, only in accordance with those terms and conditions, but, for greater certainty, the authorization or licence may also be subject to terms and conditions set by the chief firearms officer that are not inconsistent with the purpose for which it is issued and any terms and conditions set out in the order.
When order can be made	(4) For greater certainty, an order under subsection (1) may be made during proceedings for an order under subsection 109(1), 110(1), 111(5), 117.05(4) or 515(2), paragraph 737(2)(d) or subsection 810(3).
Meaning of ``competent authority''	(5) In this section, ``competent authority'' means the competent authority that made or has jurisdiction to make the prohibition order.
Requirement to surrender	114. A competent authority that makes a prohibition order against a person may, in the order, require the person to surrender to a peace officer, a firearms officer or a chief firearms officer
	(a) any thing the possession of which is prohibited by the order that is in the possession of the person on the commencement of the order, and
	(b) every authorization, licence and registration certificate relating to any thing the possession of which is prohibited by the order that is held by the person on the commencement of the order,
	and where the competent authority does so, it shall specify in the order a reasonable period for surrendering such things and documents and during which section 117.01 does not apply to that person.
Forfeiture	115. (1) Unless a prohibition order against a person specifies otherwise, every thing the possession of which is prohibited by the order that, on the commencement of the order, is in the possession of the person is forfeited to Her Majesty.
Disposal	(2) Every thing forfeited to Her Majesty under subsection (1) shall be disposed of or otherwise dealt with as the Attorney General directs.
Authorization s revoked or amended	116. Every authorization, licence and registration certificate relating to any thing the possession of which is prohibited by a prohibition order and issued to a person against whom the prohibition order is made is, on the commencement of the prohibition order, revoked, or amended, as the case may be, to the extent of the prohibitions in the order.

Bill C-68

Offences relating to Lost, Destroyed or Defaced Weapons, etc.

Prohibition Orders