Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) receives a number of calls every year on the use of firearms within the territory of Saint-Lazare, mostly during the hunting season. Some complaints are valid while others are not.

Main Laws and Regulations Enforced by the Sûreté du Québec

Federal:

Criminal Code; examples:

·	Section 86 (1) Careless use of firearm “Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, uses, carries, handles, ships, transports or stores a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition or prohibited ammunition in a careless manner or without reasonable precautions for the safety of other persons.”
·	Section 87 (1) Pointing a firearm
·	Section 91 (1) Unauthorized possession of prohibited weapon or restricted weapon (Automatic firearm, handgun, with a barrel less than 457 mm in length, etc.)

Provincial:

Regulations on hunting, fishing and trapping

·	Primarily enforced by wildlife conservation officers
·	In an emergency, officers from the Sûreté du Québec may intervene.

Municipal:

Harmonized municipal bylaws (RMH)

·	RMH 450, Section 6, weapons. [translation] “The following are considered a nuisance and their use is prohibited less than 300 metres from all houses and buildings of any kind or in a public place: firearms, slingshots, airguns, bows, crossbows, golf clubs or similar devices.”

Note: On or around October 1, 2009, the new harmonized municipal bylaws are expected to go into effect. The minimum distance required for using a rifle with cartridges will increase from 300 to 500 metres.

Not all situations involving hunters violate the law and police officers may not be able to take action in some circumstances.