Whether you enjoy hunting, participating in shooting competitions, or practicing in the shooting range, there are many reasons to buy a firearm. However, firearms can be dangerous. Therefore, you must pass a safety test and pass a firearm safety test before being allowed to purchase a firearm in Canada. You will also have to go through a lengthy registration process, including a background check. So, be prepared to wait a few months before buying a firearm for the first time.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Knowing the Type of Firearms Possession Licensing Required
Step 1. Get a non-restricted firearms license
Non-restricted firearms include rifles, shot guns, and combination weapons that are not on the list of prohibited weapons (see list of prohibited weapons below). Most civilians who own firearms in Canada purchase non-restricted guns. To get a license, you must take a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC).
Step 2. Obtain a restricted firearms license if you wish to own restricted weapons
One can obtain a limited gun license to practice shooting, participate in shooting contests, or simply collect them. A juvenile under the age of 18 may use a restricted firearm if he or she is under the direct supervision of a licensed adult. To get the license, you must take the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC).
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Restricted types of firearms include:
- Almost any type of gun.
- Semi-automatic center-fire type short-barreled rifle or short-barreled rifle with a barrel measuring less than 470 mm.
- A long or short-barreled rifle that can fire when its length is reduced or shifted to less than 660 mm.
Step 3. Find out if the firearm you own (or intend to purchase) is a prohibited weapon
A person may only have a limited firearm if it has been registered in the name of the owner when the weapon is restricted. Otherwise, you won't be able to get any licenses that allow you to shoot with that weapon.
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Prohibited weapons include:
- A gun with a barrel less than 105 mm in length.
- Pistol designed to fire 25 or 32 caliber ammunition (except for racing purposes).
- Weapons that are modified long or short-barreled rifles, including those that have been cut, sawed, or otherwise modified.
- Automatic firearms.
Method 2 of 4: Taking the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) Class
Step 1. Take a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)
This step is required before you submit a firearms application form. This class is organized by local governments in Canada and national organizations dealing with firearm safety. Participation in the CFSC class is mandatory to apply for a firearms possession and use license. After completing it, you must pass the exam administered by the administrator.
- The Canadian Firearm Safety Course (CFSC) class along with the test costs around IDR 1,500,000, not including tax.
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Topics covered in the CFSC class are:
- The evolution of firearms, their essential parts, types and powers.
- Basic safety practices when using firearms
- Ammo
- How to use firearms
- How to safely carry and hold a firearm
- Techniques and how to shoot
- Caring for non-restricted weapons
- Responsibilities of firearm owners and users
- How to store, display, transport and handle non-restricted firearms
Step 2. Take an additional safety class to get a restricted firearms license
You must take the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) after graduating from the CFSC class if you wish to have a “restricted” gun license (to own certain types of pistols and rifles).
- The Canadian Restricted Firearm Safety Course (CRFSC) class along with the test costs around IDR 1,500,000, not including tax. If you take the CFSC and CRFSC classes together, the total cost is IDR 2,600,000, not including tax.
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This class material includes:
- The evolution of firearms, their essential parts, types and powers
- Basic safety practices when using a gun;
- Ammo
- How to use the gun
- Techniques and how to shoot with a gun
- Caring for restricted weapons
- Responsibilities of firearm owners and users
- How to store, display, move and handle restricted firearms
Step 3. You must pass the CFSC exam
This exam covers everything that has been learned in safety class. The content consists of several multiple choice components and practice materials for the use of firearms. You are not required to fire any weapons during the exam.
- The written section consists of 50 multiple choice questions. To pass this stage, all participants must be able to correctly answer at least 80% of all questions.
- One of the practical materials in the exam requires participants to hold a minimum of three types of firearms (for example, pump-action weapons, lever action weapons, and bolt action weapons). Points will be deducted if the weapon is raised outside the safe area, the participant uses the wrong ammunition, or the participant has poor control of the trigger. All participants must score at least 80% on the exam at this stage.
Method 3 of 4: Obtaining a License to Possess and Use a Firearm
Step 1. Apply for a firearms possession and use license (PAL)
You must have a license to own and register a firearm, or purchase ammunition. You must renew the license every 5 years as long as you still own a firearm in Canada. Your safety instructor in class will usually provide you with an enrollment form, but you can also get one online. This form is referred to as CAFC form 921E/RCMP 5592.
- You must provide proof of identity. A valid identity can be a federal, provincial, or territorial employee card, passport, birth certificate, residency certificate, or permanent resident document.
- A youth license allows a child aged 12-17 to borrow a non-restricted type long or short-barreled rifle for special purposes (hunting or target shooting, for example). Applicants must take the CFSC class and pass the exam.
Step 2. Wait for the registration form to finish processing
There are various stages of background checks carried out to process the firearms license registration form. If there is any questionable data, an in-depth investigation will be carried out. You may be interviewed or questioned during this process. PAL registration takes a minimum of 45 days to process.
Step 3. Get a Firearms Permit (ATT) if you use a restricted weapon
For those of you who wish to have limited firearms (pistols, semi-automatic short-barreled rifles, etc.), there are additional documents that must be filled out. In order to carry the weapon (such as taking it to the shooting range), you must have an ATT document.
Method 4 of 4: Buying Firearms
Step 1. Visit a gun shop
There are many gun shops throughout Canada. So, search online to find the nearest gun shop. You must provide a valid PAL, as well as additional proof of identity to purchase a firearm.
Even if you want to buy a gun from someone personally, you still have to make the transaction through an officially licensed firearms dealer
Step 2. Choose your firearm
Most gun shops allow you to touch and hold the gun you want to buy, some have their own shooting area. If you're not sure what type of firearm to buy, ask the store clerk for advice.
Buy ammo. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase ammunition, have a valid PAL license, and present secondary proof of identity. If you're not sure what type of ammunition to buy, ask a gun shop clerk. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 may purchase ammunition if they are able to present a PAL license and valid proof of identity
Step 3. Register your weapon
Gun registration can be done in person at the gun shop or online. When registering a gun, you must provide a firearms license number or other identifying information. You must also provide the seller's name along with his ID number, date of sale of the firearm, and the weapons reference table (FRT) provided by the seller.
You can call 1-800-731-4000 to help verify a firearm
Tips
- Ask the clerk at the gun shop for all the necessary information. They are certainly happy to help you.
- Practice using a firearm so that you get used to it and can use it safely.
