Also forgot to say thanks for the above info

Cheers guys

Finally, an answer that actually makes some sense! Thank you.

Thank you all so much again for your input very much appreciated, thats another one ticked off the list to worry about. 5 weeks to go!!!!! so excited.

The licensing system in Canada is based on the shotgun certificate system in GB. They've both been amended substantially since then but the application for a firearm licence here is very similar to a shotgun certificate in GB. The principle difference is that there is a test here you have to complete, plus there is no registration anymore. You can also take the test for restricted firearms, which allows you to own non-prohibited handguns (most handguns are prohibited). You need another permit called an "authorization to transport" to move them anywhere though and that basically means you have to be a member of a gun club.

I think it's worth noting that provinces have their own laws, for example in Ontario there is a law dealing with ammunition that requires dealers to see your ID and keep records of what you've bought, and the hunting laws vary a fair bit from province to province.

Usually it's illegal to hunt at night (so you can't go lamping like you can in GB), there are hunting seasons and so on.

Also BC and Alberta have very poorly worded prohibitions on body armour, which would seem to ban say, a WW2 infantry helmet.

[QUOTE=Steve_;10162842] You can also take the test for restricted firearms, which allows you to own non-prohibited handguns (most handguns are prohibited).

Just to correct this.... Most handguns are in fact 'Restricted' (even the .22).

From the RCMP website:

handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less and handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few specific ones used in International Shooting Union competitions;

So basically all other handguns fall into the 'restricted' category and are available to buy

I'd strongly advise if you're taking the non-restricted course that you take the restricted at the same time, the content is virtually the same.

If you're familiar with firearms you can 'challenge the course' which basically means you skip the classroom training and simply read the books, then book the exam when you're ready. It really is pretty easy!!

I knew someone would respond with a comment like that.

Most handguns are prohibited in Canada. Most handguns have a barrel length of less than 105mm, which is just over 4 inches, ergo most makes and models of handgun are prohibited. At the time it was enacted, the estimate was around 60% of handguns on the market. Since then smaller handguns have become more popular because of all the carry laws in the US, so nowadays it would be an even larger percentage.

I have to say this one of my pet peeves when I read news articles about guns taken off of gang members, etc. they say they are "restricted", well actually no, looking at the pictures more often than not they're prohibited. Which is why they were prohibited. And the law doesn't seem to have worked.

One very important point I forgot to make above - foreigners applying for Canadian licences have to provide evidence they are not prohibited under Canadian law from possessing firearms, which basically means proof of no (or little) criminal record, such as the PNC letter you can get in the UK under the Data Protection Act.

I think it does mention this on the application form.

If you attend a gun sale you'll see that it worked. Prohibited hand guns are 10% of the price of restricted ones.

Criminals willing to disobey the law eh? I guess no law maker could ever have predicted that.

while your on hunting, is coursing illegal in Canada? do they even have lurchers and bull lurchers?

and ratting with russells?

Can i not just bring my shotgun/firerarms certificate as proof of my experience

What does the link to the import brochure say?

I wouldn't normally bother debating however..... most handguns are not 'prohibited' but 'restricted' also most handguns don't have a barrel length of less than 105mm as this would make them 'prohib' in Canada and unsaleable to the majority of RPAL holders. The only restriction is that the magazine is pinned to 10 rounds for handguns and 5 rounds for the semi-auto rifles (AR15's etc), although there's a loophole that allows 10 round mags!

I have a Restricted PAL and can buy any semi-auto handgun / rifle that doesn't fall into the 'prohib' category, which is 99.9% of firearms on the shelves of any gun shop in Canada, seriously why would they carry prohib firearms, they'd soon go out of business.

As an example I have a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm semi-auto (restricted) barrel length 4.25".

A .22 GSG 1911 (restricted) that my son shoots.

Also an AR15 carbine in 5.56mm (restricted).

My understanding is that prohibited firearms are only allowed by people that owned them since a certain date (1995) or are left them in a will by a family member (grandfathered).

As for the gang members, we all know that the gun laws will make no difference to them, they won't give a toss whether they're restricred or prohibited, again my guess is that they'd be restricted, either that or smuggled through the USA or purchased legally in Canada pre 1995.

I think the gun laws here are pretty good, at the end of the day the bad guys will always be able to get guns, the good guys (like me) will get licensed, store and use the firearms safely and responsibly.

Your PR card will count as your letter of good conduct as this proves the background checks have already been done as part of the immigration process.

RCMP will require 2 references and they always phone the people and run through a series of questions, this is certainly true for 'restricted'.

Basically your experience counts for nothing, you still need to get licensed here.

Isn't is also the case that, if you own a prohibited weapon under one of those conditions, you can acquire more? I believe that's why prohibited weapons are offered for sale at gun shows; there is a relatively small number of people who can still legally buy them. (I assume that the real market is people who can't legally buy them but don't know that for a fact).

I think they're rather silly.

Firstly, I don't think gun laws in Canada matter at all in regards to guns held by criminals. I bought a handgun at a gas station in the US (they did ask to see my license but made no obvious note of the details on the license) threw it in the boot of the car and drove home. Simple as that, anyone who wants a weapon unavailable in Canada can do it.

Secondly, the laws allow people to hold weapons, handguns, that have no other purpose than to kill people. There's no reasonable justification for that to be the case.

Thirdly, grandfathering makes no sense. At a gun class (in Rexdale!) I met a kid who'd inherited a case of assorted weapons most of which are no longer legal for sale. He'd no experience with firearms and yet now had a machine gun. Bonkers, either Canada approves of serious ordnance being in private hands or it doesn't. It shouldn't matter if your grandmother licked the gun or not.

Finally, allowing people to drive around Toronto, or I suppose Calgary, with firearms in the bed of their trucks panders to a redneck myth of resilience and self-sufficiency. I believe it fosters an attitude receptive to drunk driving and persecution of the native population among the accountants and actuaries who drive them.