3. Section 2 does not apply to public officers within the meaning of section 117.07 of the Criminal Code (Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, chapter C-46), to persons authorized to bear firearms for the protection of their own or another’s life or for use in the course of their lawful professional activity, or to persons designated by government regulation, with regard to the responsibilities they assume or the activities they exercise and under the conditions determined in the regulation.