Firearm and safety-equipment violation fines increased sharply under new ticketing schedule

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

B.C.'s violation ticket fine schedule has been updated to reflect a new Firearm Violence Prevention Act and to raise fines for several existing offences. Operating an armoured vehicle without a permit, possessing body armour without a permit, and failing to report or install after-market vehicle compartments now each carry a ticketed amount of $1,150 (up from $288 or $575). The old Firearm Act offence for a loaded firearm in a vehicle is replaced by two new Firearm Violence Prevention Act offences — transporting or storing a loaded firearm in a vehicle or boat ($575 ticketed amount) and discharging a firearm from a vehicle or boat ($1,150 ticketed amount). A new offence for using, transporting, carrying or storing a firearm in a manner that poses a risk to a person or property carries a $1,150 ticketed amount. Businesses or individuals dealing with armoured vehicles, after-market vehicle compartments, body armour, or firearms should review their practices against the new offence descriptions and higher fine amounts.

Who this affects: armoured vehicle operators and permit holders · body armour permit holders · after-market vehicle compartment installers and operators · firearm owners and transporters · vehicle and boat operators carrying firearms