Wrong way with an illegal firearm
A man was arrested earlier this month driving the wrong way on a downtown street, with an expired licence and with a firearm hidden in the car. What’s a “fusil de calibre .12”? There are photos of it, but the article doesn’t make it clear whether this is a completely illegal weapon. In any case, it was illegal for the man at the wheel because he was under a lifetime ban for owning guns.
dwgs 09:29 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
It’s a 12 gauge shotgun and that version with a pistol like grip would not be designed for hunting, but for close quarters against people.
Ephraim 09:55 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
@Kate like this… https://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/5596f74b71b7e577cdace62aaaa994c4/c/h/churchill-pump-shotgun-pistol-grip-stock—12ga-2-34-or-3-12-barrel-5-shot-black-a133881.jpg
Kate 10:42 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
Thank you both. I’ve never even touched a gun, so it’s nice to have the information!
Blork 11:11 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
JdeM makes a mistake in calling it “caliber .12.” Shotguns are usually measured by “gauge” not caliber. Gauge is a weird and archaic measurement of the inner diameter of the barrel that has to do with how much a lead ball of that size would weigh. Typical gauges for shotguns are 12 and 20, with 16 and 10 being less common (the lower the number the bigger the barrel diameter). 12 gauge is the most common. Note that it is “12” not “.12.”
Rifle and pistol barrels on the other hand are typically measured in “caliber,” which is a straightforward diameter measurement in inches or millimetres. When inches are used it is always fractions of an inch. So that 44 Magnum you’re looking at is actually a .44 magnum because the bullet is .44 of an inch in diameter. In this case, the lower the number the smaller the bullet, so a “22” (actually a .22) is smaller than a 38 (.38). When measured in millimeters it’s always a whole number, such as the ubiquitous 9mm.
All that to say, people who aren’t familiar with firearms will often make the mistake of borrowing the “point” from .22/.38/.45 etc. caliber and applying it erroneously to shotgun gauges (e.g., .12 instead of the correct 12). So JdeM makes two mistakes by calling a 12-gauge a “.12 caliber.”
…and that is more than any of you ever wanted to know about the topic. 🙂
Blork 11:27 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
Also, as to the question of whether or not that shotgun is restricted or illegal, dwgs is right that the pistol-grip style (and lack of a shoulder stock) makes this essentially an assault or “combat” shotgun, not a hunting one. I’m not sure if the lack of a shoulder stock alone is enough to make it illegal. However, long guns that are shorter than 26 inches (660mm) are illegal (the classic sawed-off shotgun). If this shotgun is less than 26 inches, then yes, it’s illegal.
Also, the list of prohibited shotguns includes ones that more or less look like this one but don’t mention this one specifically.
jeather 14:04 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
My understanding is that transporting a gun requires it to be inoperable and/or in a locked box as well?
dhomas 18:49 on 2021-10-15 Permalink
I learned more than I ever thought I would about guns today. J’vais me coucher moins niaiseux ce soir.
Ephraim 14:18 on 2021-10-16 Permalink
@jeather, it needs to be inoperable and/or locked in the trunk, while being transported.