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County Repeals Firearms Bylaw

Council today voted to repeal Rocky View County’s Firearms Bylaw, effective immediately.

Council passed the Firearms Bylaw in September of 2018. Since that time, the document has created questions on the need for a County bylaw, the boundaries of no-shooting zones, and the broad use of the term “weapon,” which extended the Bylaw’s scope beyond guns. Most recently, it was determined the Firearms Bylaw lacked any mechanism to allow for exception permits, which possibly could have ended special events such as charity skeet-shooting fundraisers or archery competitions.

Council made the decision that the best path forward was to rescind the Firearms Bylaw. Council confirmed that protections under the Criminal Code and Provincial regulations still apply to weapon and firearm use throughout Rocky View County, regardless of whether or not a County bylaw is in place.

Under Federal and Provincial legislation it will remain unlawful anywhere in the County to:

  • Discharge a weapon within 183 m (200 yards) of any occupied building unless you are the owner or occupant of the building, or a person authorized by the owner or occupant.
  • Cause a projectile from a weapon to pass within 183 m (200 yards) of any occupied building unless you are the owner or occupant of the building, or a person authorized by the owner or occupant.
  • Have a loaded firearm in, or discharge a firearm from, a vehicle, aircraft, or motorized boat.
  • Discharge a firearm after dark (from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise).
  • Discharge a firearm from, or cause a projectile from a firearm to pass along or across, a provincial highway.
  • Discharge a firearm from, or cause a projectile from a firearm to pass along or across a road that is paved, oiled, graded or regularly maintained, unless:
    • the road is held under any active disposition under the Public Lands Act;
    • the road is held under an order under the Surface Rights Act; or
    • the person is hunting game birds with a shotgun under the authority of a licence.

Under legislation, a weapon is a broad term that includes anything firing a projectile by explosion, spring, air, gas, string, wire, or elastic.  This includes guns, air guns, bows, slingshots, and similar devices.  A firearm is defined as a barreled instrument firing a projectile with a muzzle velocity over 152 m (500 feet) per second.

Anyone with a concern over unlawful weapon or firearm use should contact their local detachment of the RCMP, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.

Posted in: Bylaws & Enforcement Council Council News Media Releases

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