Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer is upset with the way he said the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program has rolled out a decision regarding a type of firearms magazine.
In a statement issued this week, Zimmer said the decision has made the magazine for Ruger 10/22 rifle prohibited and was done so without issuing a public bulletin. The decision makes "many law-abiding firearms owners unknowingly considered criminals," he added.
In a statement recently posted on the CFP's website, the agency confirmed magazines for the 10/22 platform that can be used in semiautomatic handguns as well as rifles are prohibited unless their capacity is limited to 10 rounds, a point Zimmer did not mention in his statement.
The move follows on a bulletin originally issued in September 2013 which set out the status for magazines for centrefire rifles and handguns but failed to address magazines for rimfire firearms.
In a revised version posted that same month, the bulletin says the 10-round limit also applies to magazines for rimfire guns and notes the omission made in the original. And it uses the Ruger BX-25 magazine as an example, saying it can be used in the brand's Charger handgun as well as its SR 22 rifle. The magazine can hold up to 25 rounds.
"As a result, this magazine is a prohibited device unless modified so its capacity is 10 cartridges or less," the CFP says.
Ruger's BX-1 rotary magazine holds 10 rounds, according to the company's website.
The most-recent posting was put up to further explain the September 2013 bulletin. It includes an answer to the question: What magazines are prescribed as prohibited?
"Magazines designed for 22 Long Rifle calibre 10/22 platform firearms that have not been altered, or "pinned", so that they can hold more than 10 cartridges are prohibited devices."
Zimmer said many constituents have reached out to him after hearing of the change and has sent a letter to RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson outlining his and their concerns.
Zimmer maintained the decision goes against Criminal Code regulations saying magazines for rimfire ammunition are not include in the restrictions.
"I urge you to reverse this unfortunate decision which has done nothing to promote public safety, and has only created fear and uncertainty within the law-abiding firearms community," Zimmer said in the letter to Paulson.
Owners of the magazine have the option of complying with the regulation by pinning the magazine so it holds no more than 10 rounds. There is also an option of lawfully disposing of an overcapacity magazine for those who no longer want to possess one. For details, they're asked to call the CFP at 1-800-731-4000.
