Firearms cases can turn on possession, licensing, storage, police powers, and how the evidence was obtained.
Firearms Offences Cover a Wide Range of Situations
Firearms charges can arise from many different circumstances, including storage and licensing issues, possession of prohibited or restricted firearms, transportation concerns, or allegations involving the use of a weapon during another offence. What may initially appear to be a technical or regulatory matter can still carry serious criminal consequences.
Depending on the allegation, a conviction may result in jail, a firearms prohibition, loss of a licence, restrictions on future possession, and other consequences that affect work, travel, and daily life. The precise charge and the circumstances surrounding it matter.
The Investigation Can Be Central to the Defence
Many firearms cases depend heavily on how police located the firearm and why they believed it was connected to the accused. The defence may need to examine whether the search was lawful, whether the detention or arrest was justified, whether a warrant was valid, and whether the Crown can prove actual or constructive possession.
Charter issues can become especially important where police have exceeded their authority or obtained evidence unlawfully. A case that appears straightforward at first can change substantially once the legality of the investigation and the continuity of the evidence are examined closely.
The Defence Must Fit the Facts
Firearms prosecutions can involve questions of knowledge, access, control, licensing, storage requirements, continuity of evidence, and the interpretation of the applicable legislation. Some cases require significant Charter litigation, while others turn on whether the Crown can actually connect the firearm to the accused in a legally meaningful way.
Jensen Law reviews these files closely for problems with warrants, gaps in continuity, unclear possession evidence, and weaknesses in the prosecution’s theory. The approach depends on the facts, the evidence, and the legal issues that genuinely matter in the case.
