It's not nearly as difficult, costly or complex as many people would have you believe. Basically you just need to pass a safety course and get a license (PAL). Then you can buy one at a gun store. Licensing and registration are not the same thing. Registration happens at the time of sale, automatically when you buy at a store. Read on to find out how to get a "firearms license".
Basically it's like a car, you prove you know how to safety operate it, then you get a card saying you've proven it. The difference is the card is used to buy firearms rather than operate them. Like a car firearms must (at this time) be registered, more on that at the end of the article.
Here in Canada we generally call them firearms, not guns, the reason for this is not important. It's just what we do, like putting U's after O's. The exception to this being when "gun" used in other terms like handgun, long gun, shotgun, and so on. So this site is really "How To Get A Firearm" but that's not what most people would search for, or think about.
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With the exception of some antique guns you need to get a Possession and Acquisition License to buy guns and ammunition, (a slightly more expensive "restricted" license is required for handguns and some other firearms). This license is generally called a "pal", like the name for your buddy, not "Pee Eh Ell". If it's the restricted license (RPAL) it's said like "are pal".
A word of advice; get the restricted license! It's going to cost a bit more (about $95 more and then $20 more every 5 years after that), but it's well worth it if you want to target shoot or collect guns, both of which are a lot of fun!
The PAL is a pink ID card that looks like this:
To get your PAL you must pass the test for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. If you want the RPAL (which you really do) you must also pass the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course test. Then you send in an application form, proof you passed, and a photo.
There are various qualifications you have to meet, but they're not an issue for most people. For example if you've had a run in with the law you may be denied, but then again you may not be. In the first quarter of 2009, only 0.15% of applicants and renewals were refused.
Generally the requirements for the restricted license are a bit more rigorous (as if criminals do paperwork to get their "gats") but most people will meet them, and it's worth it.
Well most people simply take a one day class (usually a Saturday), and it usually costs around $75, including the testing fee and a slick book. These classes are a bit cheesy sometimes but they're kind of fun and pretty informative if you're not already quite knowledgeable about firearms safety.
But you can also study on your own, and then challenge the test, however this is usually the same price, you should get a copy of the book when you take the test even if you don't take the course. Most public libraries seem to have multiple copies of the regular, and the restricted books. Some of the various people and places who provide test challenges will sell you the book in advance, and take the price off the cost of doing your test. The book has a lot of repetitive (but important) information, large diagrams and is not nearly as long and challenging of a read as you might assume.
No you can not do the test online as there is a practical component involving the handling of firearms and ammunition (but not at the same time).
Once you pass your CFSC test your "tester" will provide you with proof that you passed the course, some kind of a form.
You must fill out and send in an application. The tester will usually provide a form to apply for a license (Or you can download the form called a CAFC 921 from the RCMP CFP website.) Which you will fill out, attach the proof to, and an appropriate photo (which the form will instruct you how to take), and you fee.
The form is very invasive, they will ask you about your personal information, legal history, past and present (romantic) relationships, romantic partners, and you will need three references.
For the photo, you can just go to a passport photo place and get one, however the dimensions are different from a passport photo so make sure they know what they're doing, and take your instructions along. You will also need someone to be a guarantor and affirm that the photo is in-fact of you. Many people just take their own photo and print it out on their own printer.
The fee at the time I'm writing this is $60 for the PAL or $80 for an RPAL. So you can spend a bit extra now and do the CRFSC and apply for the RPAL but if you do it later you'll have to pay $80 in addition to the $60 you already paid.
You will then mail in the package and wait, and wait some more. Sorry, you can't apply online. The time it takes seems mostly arbitrary, and although they claim it doesn't speed it up, calling and pestering them has anecdotally been reported to work, but don't over do it. I've heard of people who applied at the same time and one person get theirs in about a month, and the other took around six months. Go figure.
It's really not that bad. If you look at it spread out over 10 years (two licenses) your cost would only be around $6.27/month, and that's a lot cheaper than the paperwork for a lot of hobbies and sports! (think league fees in hockey!) Here is a rough guide to the costs.
| One Day CFSC class | $75 |
|---|---|
| Photo from a store | $15 |
| License application fee | $60 |
| Postage | $0.54 |
| Total | $150.54 |
| One Day CFSC class | $75 |
|---|---|
| One Day CRFSC class | $75 |
| Photo from a store | $15 |
| License application fee | $80 |
| Postage | $0.54 |
| Total | $245.54 |
Approximately every five years you will have to pay the fee again to renew your license.
Hopefully you've used the last few weeks, (or quite a few weeks if you're unlucky) to decide what it is that you want. You'll walk into a gun shop, tell them what you want and if they have it you then you'll show them your fancy new PAL, do a little paperwork, pay, and walk out.
When you study for your test, or take the course you will learn about the proper storage and transport of firearms and the regulations regarding that, it's all pretty simple.
Now go do it!
Registration is basically reporting who owns what firearms to the RCMP CFP. It happens automatically when you purchase a firearm at a retail location. With a private sale the buyer and seller must call the RCMP CFP and report it. When the registration for a firearm is transfered to a new owner that owner is sent a card that they should keep with the firearm as proof.
Although the costly registry is riddled with errors, and isn't effective at solving or preventing crimes, that's the way it is. You must register your firearms. Heck, over $2,000,000,000 of our taxes have already been used to prop up the registry, you might as well get some use out of it right?
The information on this site is not intended to be all-inclusive and is only a rough guide, it is your responsibility to obtain accurate factual information from official sources. For more information you may wish to contact the Canadian Firearms Program. Remember that there may be additional laws and regulations which affect you in addition to the federal laws and regulations.