Warrantless entry and search with restricted PAL?
<p>I have been told that since I have my restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) (for firearms), police may enter and search my home without providing a warrant whenever they choose. They are telling me it's due to Bill C-68. </p>

<p>Is this true, or simply a misinterpretation? </p>

<p>Sections 102-105 of the <a href="http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/F-11.6.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Firearms Act</a> is what's relevant, in the section on inspections. First, this section pertains to firearms inspectors, not just every police officer. Section 102 says that </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>an inspector may at any reasonable time enter and inspect any place
  where the inspector believes on reasonable grounds a business is being
  carried on or there is a record of a business, any place in which the
  inspector believes on reasonable grounds there is a gun collection or
  a record in relation to a gun collection or any place in which the
  inspector believes on reasonable grounds there is a prohibited firearm
  or there are more than 10 firearms</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Section 103 says</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The owner or person in charge of a place that <em>is inspected</em> by an
  inspector under section 102 and every person found in the place shall</p>
  
  <p>(a) give the inspector all reasonable assistance to enable him or her
  to carry out the inspection and exercise any power conferred by
  section 102; and</p>
  
  <p>(b)provide the inspector with any information relevant to the
  enforcement of this Act or the regulations that he or she may
  reasonably require</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The significance of the underlining is that <em>if</em> you allow the inspector in, you have to cooperate. But Sect 104 says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(1) An  inspector  may  not  enter  a  dwelling-house under section
  102 except</p>
  
  <p>(a)on reasonable notice to the owner or occupant, except  where  a 
  business  is  being  carried  on  in  the dwelling-house; <em>and</em></p>
  
  <p>(b)  <strong>with the consent of the occupant or under a warrant</strong></p>
</blockquote>

<p>So I think it's fair to say that that is a misinterpretation.</p>

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