autopistolman
Inactive
what are the handgun laws in canada? can you have a criminal record and get your licence as long as you are not on probation? what linence do you need?
In Canada
- Thread starter autopistolman
- Start date
tapedeck74
Inactive
Hi folks,
The laws in Canada are complicated and stupid. I will be as brief as I can manage in detailing our system.
If you want to buy, own or shoot a handgun (or long gun for that matter), you must first complete a safety course and pass an exam. From there you apply for a Possession and Aquisition License from the federal government.
There are three main classifications for firearms in Canada. Non-restricted(shotguns, rifles with barrel length over 18.5"), restricted(ALL handguns, rifles with barrels shorter than 18'5", as well as the "scary guns" like the AR15 regardless of length, and various prohibited classes for things like AK, FAL, and all handguns with a barrel shorter than 4 1/4" and all .32 and .25 handguns. Prohibited guns can only be owned by people who already had them when the current set of law came into effect in 1998.
In most provinces you must be a member of a gun club to be able to buy a handgun, even though you have a license. This is because we have "Authorizations to Transport" which specify when and where you can bring your trigger locked, locked case handgun . The only valid reason for owning a HG in Can. is target shooting and collecting, so unless you're a member of a club or can convince them that you are a legitimate collector, you have no right to a HG , even though you have the license. You can however transport and use a long gun fairly freely in Can, except in national parks where all guns are banned, and cities, where the SWAT team will take you down.
When I go to buy a HG, I go to the store, and they call in to the Canadian Firearms Center to have the HG transferred to me. The CFC then generates a reg. certificate for me, taking about a week, along with a transport permit for me to bring the gun home from the store.
Regarding the original posters Q.
On the application form for a firearms license, there are several question regarding criminal history as well as deeply intrusive personal questions relating to divorce, bankruptcy and other things. You also must provide the name and sponsorship of you spouse as well as two personal references.
If you have a record for, say, vandalism when you were 18, 10 years ago, you would probably be granted a license. If you were convicted of assault 2 years ago, probably not.
We just had an election here and the incumbent Prime Minister had made a campaign promise to Ban All Handguns in Canada. Fortunately, the a-hole lost, and we are looking forward to seeing our retarded firearms legislation changed for the better.. we all have our fingers crossed..
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. NO CCW for the unwashed masses. Only for politicians, judges and millionaire businessmen. It is possible for someone to get a Wilderness Carry permit for a HG, for protection from bears, cougars, wolves. etc..Prospectors, geologists, bush pilots, trappers and forestry workers are considered legitimate applicants. I'm considering getting one myself, as a nature photographer.
A Glock is alot lighter to lug around the bush than my Enfield.
Regards, Steve
The laws in Canada are complicated and stupid. I will be as brief as I can manage in detailing our system.
If you want to buy, own or shoot a handgun (or long gun for that matter), you must first complete a safety course and pass an exam. From there you apply for a Possession and Aquisition License from the federal government.
There are three main classifications for firearms in Canada. Non-restricted(shotguns, rifles with barrel length over 18.5"), restricted(ALL handguns, rifles with barrels shorter than 18'5", as well as the "scary guns" like the AR15 regardless of length, and various prohibited classes for things like AK, FAL, and all handguns with a barrel shorter than 4 1/4" and all .32 and .25 handguns. Prohibited guns can only be owned by people who already had them when the current set of law came into effect in 1998.
In most provinces you must be a member of a gun club to be able to buy a handgun, even though you have a license. This is because we have "Authorizations to Transport" which specify when and where you can bring your trigger locked, locked case handgun . The only valid reason for owning a HG in Can. is target shooting and collecting, so unless you're a member of a club or can convince them that you are a legitimate collector, you have no right to a HG , even though you have the license. You can however transport and use a long gun fairly freely in Can, except in national parks where all guns are banned, and cities, where the SWAT team will take you down.
When I go to buy a HG, I go to the store, and they call in to the Canadian Firearms Center to have the HG transferred to me. The CFC then generates a reg. certificate for me, taking about a week, along with a transport permit for me to bring the gun home from the store.
Regarding the original posters Q.
On the application form for a firearms license, there are several question regarding criminal history as well as deeply intrusive personal questions relating to divorce, bankruptcy and other things. You also must provide the name and sponsorship of you spouse as well as two personal references.
If you have a record for, say, vandalism when you were 18, 10 years ago, you would probably be granted a license. If you were convicted of assault 2 years ago, probably not.
We just had an election here and the incumbent Prime Minister had made a campaign promise to Ban All Handguns in Canada. Fortunately, the a-hole lost, and we are looking forward to seeing our retarded firearms legislation changed for the better.. we all have our fingers crossed..
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. NO CCW for the unwashed masses. Only for politicians, judges and millionaire businessmen. It is possible for someone to get a Wilderness Carry permit for a HG, for protection from bears, cougars, wolves. etc..Prospectors, geologists, bush pilots, trappers and forestry workers are considered legitimate applicants. I'm considering getting one myself, as a nature photographer.
A Glock is alot lighter to lug around the bush than my Enfield.Regards, Steve
Last edited:
TheBluesMan
Moderator Emeritus
Great first post, Steve! Welcome to The Firing Line.
-Dave
Welcome to The Firing Line. -Dave
jiminthecorner
New member
Canada handgun ownwership
Steve is right. Its almost easier for a man to have a baby than to get yourFIRST hand gun. Unlike the US all hand gun registration is FEDERAL not by State laws or Provincial statutes. To get a "carry for protection" permit requires an Act of Parliment which can be revoked any time. There are about 150 such permits in Canada out of 40,000,000 people. This "grandfathering" Steve mentioned means at the end there is "one man standing!" then its over for prohibited firearms.Its a SUNSET law. Once you own a handgun there is no limit to the number you can buy/collect/or whatever.:barf: If you are a competetive shooter or re-enactor Border crossing is not a problem yet however,your Homeland security may end all that soon.I hope this helps cousins.WE ARE ALL BROTHERS IN ARMS, JITC.
Steve is right. Its almost easier for a man to have a baby than to get yourFIRST hand gun. Unlike the US all hand gun registration is FEDERAL not by State laws or Provincial statutes. To get a "carry for protection" permit requires an Act of Parliment which can be revoked any time. There are about 150 such permits in Canada out of 40,000,000 people. This "grandfathering" Steve mentioned means at the end there is "one man standing!" then its over for prohibited firearms.Its a SUNSET law. Once you own a handgun there is no limit to the number you can buy/collect/or whatever.:barf: If you are a competetive shooter or re-enactor Border crossing is not a problem yet however,your Homeland security may end all that soon.I hope this helps cousins.WE ARE ALL BROTHERS IN ARMS, JITC.