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Criminal Code

s. 88 Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

  • Weapons & Firearms
  • Weapons & Firearms
Maximum sentence
10 years
Classification
Hybrid

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

The law says

Criminal Code s. 88
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)
  • (1)Every person commits an offence who carries or possesses a weapon, an imitation of a weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition or prohibited ammunition for a purpose dangerous to the public peace or for the purpose of committing an offence.
  • (2)Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or
  • (b)is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Amendment History (2)
  • R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 88
  • 1995, c. 39, s. 139

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.

Immigration

Where this offence sits under IRPA

This hybrid offence has a top sentence of 10 years, so a conviction falls in the top tier, serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1). Officers take a weapon held for a dangerous purpose very seriously.

This is how the law sorts the offence, not a reading of any one record. An officer decides each case.

IRPA sections involved

Guides on offences like this one

No guide cites this section directly. These guides cite related offences.

Weapons & Firearms Conviction Entry to Canada

Related sections

Criminal Code s. 86Careless Use of FirearmHybridCriminal Code s. 91Unauthorized Possession of FirearmHybridCriminal Code s. 92Possession of Firearm Knowing UnauthorizedIndictable