Canadian BP Cannon Laws

[walter t]

Hi All,
Does anyone know what rules / laws apply to shooting black powder cannons in Canada? I have been blasting away with no idea of what kind of crap I may get myself into. Any heads up would nice. I was thinking of calling the local RCMP but do not want to draw unwanted  heat at this point,,,,,,,,,,
Thanks,
Walter t

[Cat Whisperer]

Calamity Jane was knowledgeable of the laws.

You might want to look at her posts - early on in the process of her building her cannon.

She has a website, you'll run across it, that would give you a link to contacting her directly. 

When you do, kindly post your findings.

GOOD LUCK!

[walter t]

Hi Cat,
Do you have a link to her web sight?
Walter t

[Will Bison]

Walt;

Last time i talked with any cannon shooters in Canada the rules were simple. NO modern ignition devices, load from the muzzle, no explosive projos and no fixed ammo. The Canadian Firearms Centre has a web site that will guide you through the questions. Most of the time the web site won't work.

You can call the Provincial RCMP Headquarters and get a good phone number to National Government. I tried to get some web sites for you but all are out of order.

Frustrating ain't it?

Bill

[Ex 49'er]

Here's Calamity Jane's webpage:
http://www.geocities.com/diannebest/

[walter t]

Hi All,
Thanks for the replies, I will ask an local RCMP officer what he knows,,,,,, I guess, I checked out the Canadinan Fire Arms Act for info on the web and there was no mention of BP cannons, it states that devices used for signaling, Ramsets, ect do not fall under the  fire arms act, ?? I guess as long as you are not shooting projectiles it may be a matter of noise ,,,  I am doing a run of about 20 -  12" x 2.25" x .68" (paint ball) bore tubes on a CNC machine this next week,  does anyone know what the proceedure is for listing some for sale here?
Walter t

[GGaskill]

does anyone know what the proceedure is for listing some for sale here?

You need to talk to the Graybeard.  He will make appropriate arrangements.

[Cannonball]

Cannons with no modern ignition systems are a part of our heritage, like flintlocks, you just have to be 18 or older to purchase, own or transport. According to our laws Im in more trouble than the guy who brakes into my home with an un-registerd handgun if I use my firearms in self defense against him. But my cannon being exempt from the registry makes it as legal for self defence as a louiseville slugger! Figure that one out! My countrys a$$ backwards sometimes!

[Will Bison]

Well Walt you got it from both sides of the border.

I was just on line with a pard from South Africa, they are limited to one inch bore or less.

[walter t]

Hi All,
I had them RCMP stop by my shop the other day to see what the racket was (they thought it was a shotgun or something) and I shot my .50 cal. cannon with a hot load for the constable who flinched then gave me a puzzled look when I started to laugh,,,,,, I guess some people do not get it,,,, I have not heard back in almost a week so I figure I am o.k. to shoot blanks,,,, shooting  projectiles of the metalic type I will keep to a range , golf balls??? is it FORRRRE, or is it FOURRRRRR?
Walter t

[Cat Whisperer]

Get to know the law.  You should look at local, provincial and national laws.  THEN it's ok. 

We often get away with borderline behaviors (like disturbing the peace) when we have good relationships with neighbors and law enforcement officials - not to say to plan it that way, but often the laws are used to resolve the conflict - and you (we) could get hurt legally if we're not prudent.

Keep it safe, legal, fun and respectful of others.

and - do you have any pictures?

[walter t]

Hi Cat,
No pics yet, I am all for staying out of trouble, I think the RCMP would have had something to say on the spot had it been illegal. I will get a few pics of the arsenal  soon.
Walter t

[Cat Whisperer]

Hi Cat,
No pics yet, I am all for staying out of trouble, I think the RCMP would have had something to say on the spot had it been illegal. I will get a few pics of the arsenal  soon.
Walter t

The question is do they know the law?  There are many police and deputy sherrifs here that know next to nothing about our Federal law.  (That's why I highly recommend knowing yourself what the laws are.)

[Rickk]

Yup...

cops write speeding tickets.

They don't write cannon tickets very often. Make sure the next time they come back they havn't done more research than you have