Public Transit (Specifically in Ontario) and Firearms Transportation

[u/[deleted]]

Hey Friends,

This has been covered before but at a time when the climate was a little cooler, so to speak.
The reason for transporting the firearms in this case would be "to go to the range and then home".

My research dictates that it is not strictly illegal to transport guns via public transit where local laws do not directly prohibit them, but even if my exploration of the topic is hypothetical, I like to vet my findings.

Does anyone know of any law prohibiting firearms transportation on transit?Is there anything specific to Restricted firearms that would prohibit it?I have been unable to find anything explicit on either, but am interested in other interpretations.

The TTC outright bans all firearms transportation.

UBER bans firearms "as far as it is applicable by law"

The GO system has a clause that says a proper authority "may refuse passage or remove from the system" anyone with a firearm (literally handled the same as a drunk person, according to GO policy)

The GO transit breakdown

I am aware of the 1993 case in which a very foolish man took a loaded .22 onto the transit system and made a very bad joke to a transit authority and was arrested and charged as a result. I am not talking about this sort of behavior, I am inquiring about a hypothetical situation in which someone behaving normally attempts to transport a restricted or non-restricted firearm locked in a hard sided case with a trigger lock and who comports themselves well.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[u/GenuineSteak]

Im pretty sure translink has a company policy against firearms but its not actual law so the most they can do it kick you off. Or call the cops on you for trespassing if you refuse to leave.

[u/[deleted] → u/GenuineSteak]

Indeed, but what with them shooting people for being gunsmiths and all, not sure if having the cops called is very safe option.

[u/GenuineSteak → u/[deleted]]

Ive rode the bus with a case a few times and never had a problem. Most people never even think its a gun. And the people that do are other gun owners so they dont care. Just make sure the case doesnt say like "firearms" on it.

[u/cattabliss → u/[deleted]]

Translink has a dedicated police force though... They hang out often around bus and rail exchanges, and most cops would likely recognize a gun case for what it is unless you have it in a non traditional case.

[u/stealthy_1 → u/cattabliss]

Police don’t generally have a reason to go searching your stuff unless you’re being super creepy about it.

Follow the rules, go about your business, and nobody will bat an eye.

I would also recommend against using non-traditional cases as it could be construed as concealing, but I will defer to Ian Runkle’s video on that.

It’s just the mentality: police on patrol don’t go around assuming someone’s suitcase they’re rolling around with to be an explosive. Behaviour and demeanour all plays into it. If they stop you and ask where you’re going, just be polite about it, go about your business.

[u/[deleted] → u/stealthy_1]

Agreed on the points about unreasonable searches and weird cases.

The thing here is 'unreasonable' searches. If the transit system doesn't strictly forbid transporting a firearm, but states a proper authority may eject you for carrying one, is it all that unreasonable a search if the transit authority comes by and, seeing the case, elects to search you or eject you and call the cops (who will likely then want to search you)?

[u/stealthy_1 → u/[deleted]]

Carrying seems like a catch all term here. It’s already illegal to “carry” one, but you’re also transporting it legally.

I think the idea is that the authority to do so is reserved for the operator. I’ve seen so many people who eat or drink on a bus and nobody bats an eye. Honestly I don’t think people will care at all if you use a properly secured case, probably not your $15 “scoped rife case” from cabelas but a proper locking secured case.