Firearms and Ammunition

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Definitions

Ammunition: A projectile intended for use with a Firearm. 

Director: The Director of Police Services referred to in section 39 (1) of the Police Act.

Firearm: A barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon, and anything that can be adapted for use as a Firearm (as per section 2 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46). A conducted energy weapon is not considered a Firearm for the purposes of BCPPS 1.1.1 Firearms and Ammunition and BCPPS 1.1.2 Firearms Training and Qualification.

Officer: A constable appointed under the Police Act or an enforcement officer appointed under section 14.15 of the Police Act.

Pistol: A handgun; a Firearm designed to be held in one hand.

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Standards

Approved Firearms and Ammunition

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(1) Must ensure only Firearms approved by the Director are carried and used by Officers. Approved Firearms are semi-automatic Pistols with the following specifications:

(a) Double/single or double action-only trigger mechanism;
(b) Single action trigger force of not less than 1.36 kg;
(c) Hammer/firing pin block safety mechanism; and
(d) Barrel of not less than 76 mm and not more than 127 mm in length.

(2) Must ensure the duty Ammunition issued and used in a Firearm described under Standard (1) above are 0.40 calibre Smith and Wesson or 9 mm factory loaded cartridges with the following specifications:

(a) Hollow point bullet design;
(b) Bullet weight no less than 8.035 grams (124 grain); and
(c) Muzzle velocity between 290 m/second to 396 m/second, when fired in a Firearm referred to in Standard (1) above.

(3) May authorize, or designate in writing a person who may authorize, an Officer to carry for a special purpose a Firearm and Ammunition of a type other than that referred to in Standards (1) and (2) above.

(4) Must prohibit Officers from carrying a Firearm or Ammunition other than those referred to in Standard (1), (2), or (3) above.

(5) Must, on the request of the Director, submit a report on all special Firearms and Ammunition issued and the reason for issuing them if an authorization is made under Standard (3) above.

Holsters

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(5.1) Must ensure that only holsters, of any type, which have been approved by the Chief Constable, Chief Officer, Commissioner or their delegate, are used by Officers.

(5.2) Must ensure that Officers are provided training for each type of holster that is issued for use.

Off duty carrying of Firearms and Ammunition

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(5.3) Must ensure that Officers carry their issued Firearms only when on assigned duty, unless otherwise authorized in writing or described in policy.

Maintenance of Firearms

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(6.1) Must ensure that an up-to-date inventory of all the police service’s Firearms is maintained. 

(6.2) Must ensure that each Firearm and all Ammunition is securely stored when not in use.

(6) Must ensure that each Firearm in the inventory of their police service is maintained in good working order.

Training, qualification and requalification for Firearms

(7) Deleted. See BCPPS 1.1.2 Firearms Training and Qualification.

(8) Deleted. See BCPPS 1.1.2 Firearms Training and Qualification.

(9) Deleted. See BCPPS 1.1.2 Firearms Training and Qualification.

Policies and procedures

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner must ensure that:

(10) Policies and procedures are consistent with these BC Provincial Policing Standards.