Dispelling Legal Expense Insurance Confusion

CCFR Insurance

Dispelling Legal Expense Insurance Confusion – The Canadian Coalition For Firearm Rights (CCFR) has been offering Legal Expense Insurance since we opened our doors back in October 2016. The board of directors had a very clear mandate regarding insurance.

“We want the best and most affordable coverage for our members, nothing else will do”.

The current offering of Legal Defence Insurance was not created by the CCFR; we adopted an existing product offered by DAS Legal. DAS Legal was the first in Canada to create a product exclusively for firearm owners of Canada. This product was originally sold by a single broker through a privately owned website. When DAS legal was approached by CCFR’s broker (Arthur J. Gallagher Group) an agreement was reached to offer a similar product through the CCFR website.

The original premise behind this coverage has always been to defend legal firearm owners against erroneous charges stemming from use, storage, display, transportation, licensing, or handling of a firearm. With the uncertainty of the current political climate, and the ambiguous re-interpretations of the laws by the authorities, most notably the RCMP, questions have popped up regarding what is and isn’t covered by this product. One of the most common questions asked revolves around magazine laws. In order to answer these questions, we have to dive into the origin of this dilemma. In 2016, the RCMP released a memorandum which indicated that all 10/22 magazines must be pinned to 10 rounds, as these magazines also fit a restricted version of the “commonly available” Ruger Charger pistol. Let’s not ignore the fact that not all 10/22 magazines work with the Charger pistol; we also must not ignore the fact that the magazine has been in circulation for well over 30 years. This particular magazine was designed long before the pistol design came into being. Furthermore, more than 1,000,000 of these magazines have been sold legally across Canada, through RCMP regulated businesses, and continue to be sold unpinned today, without incident.

Now that we’re clear on the background, let’s look at what the RCMP memo actually says. The memo clearly states that this is not a stand-alone charge, this charge is only meant to be added in addition to other charges. The memo then states that the individuals charged with this infraction should be given 30 days to pin, or destroy these magazines. As the reader can clearly see, it is very unlikely anyone would be charged with this. In the event someone is charged, they will be given a 30 day grace period to physically limit the magazine to 10 rounds, or provide proof of destruction. If an individual doesn’t pin or destroy the magazine in the allotted timeframe, Legal Defence coverage will likely not respond. The coverage was never created to be a vehicle for a Supreme Court challenge. There is currently a class action law suit which is challenging this re-interpretation. In the legal defence wordings, the policy states this coverage will not respond if there is a class action suit in progress.

If you read the above, and are still interested in the coverage, please allow me tell you why you should buy it!

As previously stated, this policy will defend a licensed gun owner against charges stemming from use, storage, display, transportation, licensing, or handling of firearms. If you are buying  Legal Expense Insurance because you don’t want to face frivolous charges by overzealous prosecutors, or because transportation, display, or storage laws are confusing, then this is a policy for you! This insurance is a safety blanket to protect you against a system that punishes individuals financially, and makes gun ownership a taboo. DAS legal is very happy to support the CCFR and its members, and has assured the broker that they will continue to stand by law abiding firearms owners and this coverage. For $94 per year, taxes included, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your personal savings won’t be drained, nor will you feel pressured to give up your legally owned property because fighting the charges just isn’t worth the hassle. The CCFR also has an exclusive Legal Advice Only option for $16 per year, tax included, for anyone who feels $94/year is beyond their means. You will most likely never need this insurance, but like the old adage “Best to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it”.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to visit our website at www.firearmrights.ca, or feel free to contact me directly at insurance@firearmrights.ca

Thank You,

Lucas Kusiak

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