r/canadaguns • u/OCTS-Toronto • 21d ago

Application / Regulation advice Hypothetical gun abandonment question

I'm curious about the legal aspects of an abandoned restricted or prohibited firearm. If someone owned let's say an ar15 but went to live abroad for a while. They stored it at my house but then never returned. What is the legal status the the firearm? I would not have a registration certificate (in my name) and the owner can't be charged assuming they never return. Would I be in possession of an illegal firearm? If it was turned into the police and then the owner returned many years later would they be charged upon arrival with an offense?

Seems like lots of Canadians are leaving Canada lately and I wonder what happens if they don't live up to all the legislation on the way out.

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u/[deleted] 21d ago

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u/OCTS-Toronto 21d ago

Thanks, but it's just a hypothetical. I don't have someone else's firearm.

I'm curious what happens when someone leaves Canada but doesn't dispose of their registered firearms. I figure if they never return then they can't be charged.

I fully realize it's not a good idea. But it must have happened before at some point.