The Ontario Provincial Police are warning hunters and the public about the serious risks and legal consequences of transporting loaded firearms in vehicles.
Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, it is illegal to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle. The law is intended to protect public safety, prevent accidental discharges, and reduce risks to both people and wildlife.
OPP officers recently charged a man in Lennox and Addington County after they found a loaded firearm in his pickup truck. In a separate incident, another individual stopped on an ATV for not wearing a helmet was found to have a loaded firearm. That person was charged for the helmet violation and received a warning for the firearm.
Police highlight the dangers of carrying loaded firearms in vehicles: sudden movement, vibration, or mishandling can cause accidental discharge, leading to injury, death, or property damage.
Hunters who break the law may face fines, have their firearms seized, or have their hunting licences suspended. Repeat offences can result in more severe penalties.
The OPP is urging hunters to follow safe practices: unload firearms before placing them in a vehicle, store ammunition separately, and transport firearms in a secure case or locked compartment.
More information on hunting regulations is available on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website.
