Special Bulletin for Police No. 68
January 18, 2006 Notice
The information contained in this bulletin is considered accurate the date of publication. The information has not been updated to reflect any changes to the Firearms Act and related regulations. |
Beretta CX4 Storm Magazine
Snapshot
- Some Beretta CX4 Storm rifles are being manufactured with prohibited magazines.
- The classification of a firearm magazine depends on the type of firearm the magazine was designed to be used in, not the type of firearm it is actually used in.
- The new 10-cartridge magazine designed for the Beretta CX4 Storm rifle is prohibited unless it has been permanently altered so that it cannot hold more than five cartridges .
- The 10-cartridge pistol magazine used on many Beretta CX4 Storm rifles is still legal, regardless of the type of firearm it is attached to.
We have recently learned that some Beretta CX4 Storm rifles are being manufactured with magazines that are prohibited in Canada.
As set out in Criminal Code Regulations, the classification of a magazine depends on the type of firearm a magazine was designed to be used in, not the type of firearm it is actually used in.
When the Beretta CX4 Storm rifle was first produced, it used a 10-cartridge magazine that was designed for a handgun. Most magazines designed for a handgun may legally hold up to 10 cartridges, even when used in a rifle.
Beretta is now producing a 10-cartridge magazine designed specifically for the CX4 Storm rifle. The law sets a maximum capacity of five cartridges for magazines designed for a semi-automatic, centre-fire long gun such as the Beretta CX4 Storm rifle. A 10-cartridge magazine with a CX4 Storm stamp on it is prohibited unless it has been permanently altered so that it cannot hold more than five cartridges.
Note that a prohibited magazine does not affect the classification of the firearm itself. Only the magazine is prohibited.
Some businesses and individuals may already have acquired a Beretta CX4 Storm with a prohibited magazine. A business may legally possess it if it is licensed to possess prohibited devices for an approved purpose. Individuals cannot legally possess a prohibited device.
Affected owners might not understand the difference between the prohibited 10-cartridge rifle magazine and the legal 10-cartridge handgun magazine, and may not realize that they are in illegal possession of a prohibited device.
We are making every effort to contact registered owners of a Beretta CX4 Storm rifle to make them aware of the situation and to inform them of what they need to do to comply with the law. You may see a slight increase in the number of magazines being turned into the police for disposal, but it is expected to be minimal. Other legal options are to permanently alter the magazine so that it cannot hold more than five cartridges, transfer it to a properly licensed business, or export it to a country that allows it.
Information for the Police
To ensure that you are on our distribution list, or that your contact information is current, you may contact us through any of the means indicated below.
- Any police agent can use the CAFC Police-Only Information and Referral Line at 1 800 731-4000, ext. 2064 (E) or 2063 (F) (toll-free) to obtain information or to obtain publications that are available.
Information for the Public
- Members of the public must not be referred to the Police-Only Line but can be referred to the public lines at 1 800 731-4000 (toll-free)
This bulletin is intended to provide general information only. For legal references, please refer to the regulations pertaining to prohibited magazines.
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