r/canadaguns • u/[deleted] • Dec 29 '21

Public Transit (Specifically in Ontario) and Firearms Transportation

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.

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u/MacintoshEddie Dec 29 '21 edited Dec 29 '21

I can't say I can remember any cases where a company has outright said they would allow it, only times where they either forbid it or stay quiet on it.

That said there have been times I've seen people with hard cases on the bus. I dunno what the contents are, except for the guy who opened his case to show his guitar to his friend.

Now, I dunno how big a fuss it would cause if someone did something like text Transit Watch or the police "There's a guy on the bus with a big plastic case I think it might have a gun." I think a lot of that would depend on if it gets dispatched as "man with a gun" or "concerned citizen".

As we all know, just because something is legal doesn't mean you're going to be able to do it without punishment.

Now, if you have a breakdown or folded or dismantled rifle in your backpack and you're not being a butthead, chances are you could ride the bus every day and not be punished, but if you ever get caught even if it was something like a crackhead stabbed someone and you yelled at him, you might be in a lot of trouble or just face a lifetime transit ban all the way up to a "weapons dangerous" charge and a prohibition order.

I can't remember if /u/varsil has done a video on firearms on public transportation or not. I suspect his advice might boil down to "Get a ride with a friend and avoid the potential issues".

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u/Beretta_errata removeddit pro Dec 29 '21

varsil has done a video on firearms on public transportation or not

I only remember Felawka, and he was charged with concealed carry due to opening his mouth.

Most lawyers agree, keep yer trap shut.

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u/[deleted] Dec 30 '21

Indeed, the mouth would not be an issue here. We are assuming that the carrier is comporting themselves well, has a positive demeanor and is observing the legal requirements.

Agreed, a ride is always the best option, but let's assume that transit is the option left for whatever reason.

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u/Beretta_errata removeddit pro Dec 30 '21

TTC property is private property, they make the rules.

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u/[deleted] Dec 30 '21

Yes, but there are transit systems outside the TTC and we aren't ONLY restricted to discussing Ontario here, I am wondering about the federal level too.

I haven't read anything about it being illegal to take on public transit at a federal level (understanding that local bylaws can be different), I am looking to confirm each of these scenarios at each level.

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u/[deleted] Dec 30 '21

To further qualify what I am asking , for I am worried I am not being clear:
I am wondering if it is illegal at the federal and provincial levels to transport a gun on public transit, be that gun restricted or non-restricted, for the purpose of going to and from a Range and Home.

Info about specific localities would be an interesting bonus, as with the TTC.