CRFSC Legal and Ethical Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A non-restricted firearm owner moves to a new address. What is their legal obligation under the Firearms Act?
- Notify the Canadian Firearms Program of the address change within 30 days (Correct answer)
- No notification is required for non-restricted firearm owners
- Notify the local police department within 7 days
- Obtain a new PAL reflecting the new address before moving
Correct answer: Notify the Canadian Firearms Program of the address change within 30 days
Licence holders must notify the Canadian Firearms Program of an address change within 30 days to keep their licence records current.
Question 2: What is the legal consequence of knowingly providing false information on a PAL application?
- The application is simply rejected and the applicant may reapply
- It is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution (Correct answer)
- The applicant is banned from reapplying for two years
- A warning letter is issued and the application is placed on hold
Correct answer: It is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution
Submitting false information on a firearm licence application is a criminal offence under the Firearms Act.
Question 3: Which government body in Canada is responsible for administering the civilian firearms licensing program?
- Transport Canada
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through the Canadian Firearms Program (Correct answer)
- Public Safety Canada directly
- The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Correct answer: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through the Canadian Firearms Program
The RCMP administers the Canadian Firearms Program, which oversees licensing and registration for civilian firearms.
Question 4: An ethical firearm owner suspects a fellow club member is showing signs of mental health crisis. What is the responsible course of action?
- Say nothing to avoid conflict and assume the person will manage on their own
- Discreetly inform the club safety officer or appropriate authorities to ensure safety (Correct answer)
- Confront the member publicly at the range to address the concern
- Remove the member's firearms from their possession personally
Correct answer: Discreetly inform the club safety officer or appropriate authorities to ensure safety
Ethical responsibility includes proactively addressing potential safety risks by notifying appropriate authorities when someone may pose a danger.
Question 5: Under the Firearms Act, the 'chief firearms officer' (CFO) has the authority to do which of the following?
- Classify new firearms into restricted or prohibited categories
- Approve or refuse PAL applications and revoke licences in their province (Correct answer)
- Set national minimum age requirements for firearm ownership
- Override Criminal Code prohibition orders in special circumstances
Correct answer: Approve or refuse PAL applications and revoke licences in their province
The CFO has the authority to approve, refuse, or revoke PALs within their province or territory.
Question 6: A hunter kills more game than is allowed under their provincial licence. Beyond the provincial wildlife violation, which broader ethical principle have they violated?
- The duty to report firearm use to the Canadian Firearms Program
- Their responsibility as a firearm user to operate within all applicable laws (Correct answer)
- The Firearms Act requirement to maintain accurate shooting records
- The CFSC principle requiring hunters to donate excess game to food banks
Correct answer: Their responsibility as a firearm user to operate within all applicable laws
Responsible firearm ownership includes complying with all laws in which firearms are used, including wildlife regulations.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about PAL renewal is correct?
- A PAL must be renewed every 10 years and can be renewed up to 1 year in advance
- A PAL is valid for 5 years and must be renewed before it expires to maintain legal possession (Correct answer)
- A PAL never expires once issued if the holder has no criminal record
- A PAL expires after 5 years but the holder has a 1-year grace period for possession
Correct answer: A PAL is valid for 5 years and must be renewed before it expires to maintain legal possession
A PAL is valid for five years and must be renewed before expiry; possession of a firearm with an expired PAL is illegal.
CRFSC Legal and Ethical Responsibilities 4
A non-restricted firearm owner moves to a new address.
What is their legal obligation under the Firearms Act?