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Citation |
Koffler BB. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1995; 28(1): 59-100. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1995, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Prohibited Weapons Order No. 10, is a regulation made under the Criminal Code of Canada, which bans possession of certain types of ammunition. It came into effect on October 1, 1992. Because of certain undefined terms in the Order and in the Criminal Code, and some overlapping regulation of ammunition and its components under the Explosives Act (R.S.C.), it can be anticipated that there will be problems for the police, Crown prosecutors, firearms examiners and firearms/ammunition owners. Since the mid-1800s, there have been no uniform, internationally-recognized standards for marking ammunition, projectiles or the packages in which they are shipped from the factory; since commercial and military cartridges and their components are often stored, traded and sold loose and unlabelled, there are many avenues for error open to all concerned. The Prohibition Order only covers certain types of ammunition and projectiles. These are: handgun cartridges whose projectiles are capable of penetrating body armour fabric; projectiles which ignite on impact; projectiles which explode on impact; and, shotgun cartridges containing flechettes. Unintentionally, it appears to have also included certain types of veterinary "tranquilizer dart" projectiles, containing a component which explodes on impact. This article analyzes the elements of the Order, and some areas of uncertainty in applying its legal language to evidence which may be seized and submitted for examination. It also examines techniques and procedures that can assist the firearms examiner in making a more precise determination of the status of suspect ammunition and projectiles. |