Guns have been a staple of Canadian culture for centuries. From hunters who carry rifles during hunting season, to farmers and ranchers looking to protect their land and livestock, to recreational shooters and more, it is estimated that at least 13% of Canadians take advantage of their right to bear arms. However, having a gun and knowing how to use it are only two aspects of gun ownership. Gun-license holders also have a responsibility to know and follow the law that relates to bearing arms.
Unfortunately, the laws surrounding gun control in Canada are often confusing and prone to amendments, which can result in a person breaking the law without even realizing they have done so. For this reason, in this article, we will look at three things that every gun owner should know so that they can better protect themself and their rights.
You Have the Right to Remain Silent After a Shooting
If a person has been involved in an incident that involved the use of a firearm, regardless of the outcome, they may be pushed to make a statement regarding the incident directly after it has occurred. While many people attempt to justify their actions during this statement, according to experts in law, it is often in the best interests of that person to remain silent until they have had time to properly process the situation. Often, statements taken at the scene omit details that a person may only remember after they have left the scene, so the chances of a full statement directly after an event are minimal.
Shootings are traumatic events that can leave a person reeling in shock and asking that person to offer a detailed, accurate, and complete statement of the event is often unreasonable. Additionally, because this statement will be used during any court proceeding following the event, additions or alterations to the original statement could be used against a defendant.
Before making a statement, gun owners should always consult with a lawyer who has experience dealing with weapons and firearms offenses. For gun-owners in Canada, the experts at Edelson Law have over 75 years of combined experience in criminal defense law and they are well-equipped to deal with any offenses relating to the possession, storage, and misuse of weapons or firearms.
Self-Defense: Understanding “Reasonable Response”
The argument of self-defense is a common one when it comes to gun-related offenses and, as such, the laws surrounding the defense of property and self-defense should be some of the most-read pieces of literature on any reputable gun website. Unfortunately, many people fail to understand that self-defense is something that is not always easy to prove in a court of law. Defendants must prove that their response to an incident was reasonable and in self-defense, but what can be deemed reasonable differs from courtroom to courtroom. For savvy gun-owners, reading up about cases relating to self-defense shootings in their area can give a good indication about the attitude regarding these kinds of crimes in their local courtroom. It can also help them determine what level of force is considered reasonable by the lawmakers in the area. This information may help govern their actions should they experience an event such as a break-in or robbery.
Deadly Force Always Has Repercussions
Regardless of whether or not a person discharged their weapon in self-defense, or they had ulterior motives, if a gun was responsible for the death of another person there will always be repercussions with the law.These will always involve a mandatory minimum sentence regardless of the outcome of the ensuing court case. Because these sentences differ by state, gun-owners should always do their research on what they could expect if they are facing a firearm-related offense.
Being a gun-owner comes with a lot of responsibility. People who bear arms should always try and keep up to date with the legislature and laws surrounding owning, storing, and using weapons and firearms to ensure that they stay on the right side of the law.
