r/canadaguns • u/shaunderford • 20d ago

Application / Regulation advice Traffic stop

Hello just wondering if I’m legally transporting a firearm (non restricted) and I am pulled over by a police officer am i under obligation to inform the officer i have a firearm in the vehicle?

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11

u/airchinapilot 20d ago

No. Unless you are specifically asked there is no reason to complicate what could be a routine traffic stop.

6

u/Far_Art5484 20d ago

You can always decline to answer questions, probably the better route

1

u/RcNorth al 20d ago

Declining to answer any questions will make you look guilty and possibly a full search of your vehicle.

It is best succinctly tell the truth.

9

u/Far_Art5484 20d ago edited 20d ago

Thats not true at all. Police can't just choose to search your vehicle. They require a warrant or probable cause of a specific crime, and that the evidence can be destroyed in the time it takes to obtain a warrant.

Theyre also required to tell you the reason they pulled you over when asked.

5

u/External-Ferret-9013 20d ago

Probable cause can be invented on the spot, or retroactively.

3

u/airchinapilot 20d ago edited 19d ago

But if they just made it up it will come out in court and that would help you in any case they are trying to make on you

1

u/External-Ferret-9013 19d ago

I agree with you, the general advice should be "don't volounteer the information, but be truthful if asked". The idea is to manage the encounter with the armed, emotionally unstable moron (who's already motivated to ruin your day) as safely as possible. Playing the "I'm not answering questions/I dont consent to searches" is a perfectly legal strategy, but is not going to unsmash your window.

1

u/VirtualBridge7 20d ago

The only issue is whether it will fly in court with the judge.

1

u/Muted-Garden6723 19d ago

Depends heavily on where you live. If you live somewhere where guns are normal, you’re probably better off just saying you’ve got a gun as the cop will likely be aware of the laws surrounding transportation

But quite frankly most cops out there do not have a thorough understanding of firearms laws