Carlen Anderson has pleaded guilty in Kindersley provincial court to a firearm-related charge that stems from the decision he made more than two years ago to sell a restricted firearm.

Court heard that the accused did not qualify for Legal Aid and he was not in a position to retain a private lawyer.

Dorinda Stahl, the Crown prosecutor in Kindersley on April 17, told the court she had spoken to Anderson and she believed they agreed on a resolution.

Stahl said she advised the accused of the Crown’s position on sentencing before his decision to enter pleas. Despite the risk of receiving a criminal record, Anderson said he wanted to proceed by entering a guilty plea to transferring a restricted firearm without proper authority. The court spared him from a criminal record.

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The prosecutor presented the facts of the case. She said a handgun was seized by the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP learned in May 2016 that the handgun seized in Saskatoon was registered to Anderson.

Anderson indicated to police that the gun had been sold to another individual. Police searched the Canadian firearm registry and there was no record of the transfer of the handgun, so the police went back to talk to the accused. Stahl said the police charged Anderson with the violation.

Stahl said a majority of cases where a firearm is transferred without going through the proper channels often involve drug or gang-related activity. She noted that if a person is going to have a handgun in the community, it is a “tremendous responsibility.”

She told the court that Anderson did not have a criminal record and he is taking responsibility for the violation by entering an early guilty plea. Stahl said the Crown is asking for a $1,000 fine and a 10-year firearms prohibition, but Anderson is hoping to avoid the firearms prohibition. Stahl said when the sale of a firearm is not done properly, it is difficult to track the weapon and that is a concern.

Judge Robert Jackson asked the accused about the firearm and he was told it was Glock 17, a 9mm handgun. The judge said the circumstances of the case are odd because the gun was not sold for drug or gang-related purposes. He asked for more information.

Anderson said he bought the handgun when he was 20 years old and it has always caused him trouble, so he wanted to sell it. He told the court he had a licence for the firearm that was always locked up in proper storage in his vehicle, but it was a hassle to own. He told the court he was unaware of the rules for selling the gun.

“When I sold it, I was blind to the law,” he said, recognizing that he knew the buyer and he contacted the proper authorities to confirm that the buyer had the proper license to own a restricted firearm. “I thought I did my due diligence.”

Court heard that the handgun is in the possession of the RCMP in Saskatoon. Anderson said he hoped to avoid a firearms prohibition because he is an avid hunter. He said the handgun was used for target shooting at a gun range.

The accused said he took a psychiatric evaluation and the result was favourable. Jackson said the case seemed “quite innocuous” because it did not involve drugs or gangs, but the crime and penalty could be serious if a gun is sold illegally to a drug dealer or gang member.

Jackson ordered Anderson to serve an 18-month conditional discharge, so he would not receive a criminal record as long as he abides by his conditions.

The judge said he would not order the 10-year firearms prohibition, but Anderson cannot possess a firearm 18 months. He was also ordered to pay a $200 victim surcharge.

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