Explanation of Canadian Gun Laws

[carnaby]

That, and the mag restrictions, the barrel length restrictions, and no CCW. No thanks

 

[SDC]

Isn't it that before I believe 1998, a Canadian could readily own a full-auto AK?

Nope, the cut-off date was Jan. 1, 1978; if you had at least one legally-owned and registered full-auto on that date, you can still own it and buy more from the pool that's already in the country (full-autos weren't required to even be registered in Canada up until 1945). Having said that, even if you have one legally owned and registered, you still need a "Special Authority To Transport" licence to take it to a range to fire, and they won't issue those, period. And, on top of everything else, they're still subject to all the mag capacity BS that everything else is anyway, and a 5-round Thompson sort of takes the fun out of it.

 

[SDC]

I thought Canadians elected a new government to straighten out the anti-gun laws, what happened? Did they slip over to the dark side?

No, it's just that, given the way our f&*cked-up political system works, you either have to have an absolute majority in the House and Senate to pass or change laws, or you have to play "Lets Make A Deal" with other parties to get to that point. The Conservatives form the government, but they don't have enough votes to shove through laws on their own; they'd need to make a deal with a) the LIEberals (who passed most of this BS in the first place, because it separates us from those uncivilized Americans), b) the Bloc Quebecois (who represent ONLY Quebec, and are only slightly to the left of Karl Marx at the best of times), or c) the New Democratic Party, who think that the LIEberals and the BQ are tools of the capitalist system.

 

[SDC]

It took me one month to receive my license From the time I wrote the test and applied for it. The time involved is just waiting for the police to run their background checks and this does not take a month for them to complete it is about limited resources so your license application waits in line. There is no such thing as a requirement to ask your neighbors.

Well, yes and no. There is a MANDATORY 1 month waiting period before issuance of a licence in any event; what is required on the application is the endorsement of two other people ("references") who have known you for at least 5 years. In many cases, they don't even bother CONTACTING those references, so it comes down to more paperwork so it looks like they're doing something useful.

 

[Autolite]

The sad thing is that even with all the hoops that we Canadians must jump through to get our gun licenses the system is still letting freaks slip under the radar. The most recent school shooter here in Canada (Kimveer Gill) managed to legally acquire all the weapons he used to carry out his dastardly deed. This is why it is going to be tough for the new federal minority government to pass any new laws that will relax the gun registration system. Gun licensing and gun registration are two separate processes here in Canada and there is nothing about the gun registry that would have prevented that recent high profile massacre, however, the point is moot as far as the antis are concerned. The proposed changes (under Bill C21) are really just a money saving deal anyway. They intend to remove the registration requirement for long guns but the acquisition process will actually become more involved. Under Bill C21, long gun purchases will now have to be approved by the respective Provincial Chief Firearms Officer even if the buyer currently holds a valid Possession/Acquisition Licence. It will now become a sort of double background check much like getting approval from a driver examiner before your are allowed to purchase another car. In any event, it is not likely the legislation will pass because, as it was already mentioned, the feds need to "make a deal" with the opposition parties, one of which wanted a total handgun ban immediately prior to the last federal election ...

 

[Banta]

"Well, yes and no. There is a MANDATORY 1 month waiting period before issuance of a licence in any event; what is required on the application is the endorsement of two other people ("references") who have known you for at least 5 years. In many cases, they don't even bother CONTACTING those references, so it comes down to more paperwork so it looks like they're doing something useful."


That's right, you are correct. I put down my dad and brother as references and they were never contacted. They probably only call references if there is something in the background check that raises some concern.

 

[Lucky]

Banta, you're a good guy, that much is clear. But I feel that licensing laws are false assurances. They don't actually make you any safer, because they are simply pieces of paper. They can't keep guns out the hands of gang-banger-killers, because the gang-banger-killer buys a gun in secret, from the black-market.

What licensing does is discourage law-abiding people who were considering buying a gun, but not committed. They were slightly tempted, but the paper-work discourages them - sort of like mail-in rebates, how many people don't bother to mail them in.

The end result, whether intentional or not, is to reduce the number of law-abiding gun owners, while having no diminishing effect on violent criminal gun owners.

 

[Pure Energy]

Sorry for the delay, I was away hunting all week. Yes, there are magazine caps here in Canada. Centerfire autoloaders have to be pinned to 5 rounds. A rivet in the spine of a mag is considered good. No limit on rimfire, or pump/lever action.

As for anti's, yes, there is quite a few up here. We do not have a lobby as powerful as the NRA. I wish we did. There is a government funded coalition called the Coalition for Gun Control led by the evil Wendy Cukier. She wants all our guns. Another sad situation is hunters. I am a hunter myself, but hell, I love pistols and black guns, but some hunters are anti those kinds of guns. They hunt and figure nothing else like a pistol has any use and they dont care to see them go.

Right now our Conservative Government is in power, thank God. The Libs were threatening to ban all handguns, but got voted out of power. We now have a gun friendly government in power.

And yes we are allowed to ship any kind of gun via Canadapost right to each others door.

 

[Glenn Kelley]

The requirement for spousal approval was an example of flawed logic at its worst.The idea was that if a woman was abused she could prevent her husband from getting a gun he might use against her.The logic failed to take into account the fact that if he was slapping her around already he would slap her around to force her to sign a form.

Now the only situation this applies to is in the case of a separation where a spouse must approve the licensing of the other for a year following the separation.

 

[gezzer]

I think the U.S should just annex Canada, and do away with that
problem.

I vote for first strike NOW. To bad the Tories deserve it as payback from a couple of centuries ago.

Seriously they do have a problem most Canadians I know are good folk. They just have a very socialist .GOV.

When Quebec was trying to become a separate nation the Maritimes wanted to become a US state if it passed. I feel for my distant relatives in NB, NF and PI. They are welcome to join the US. Quebec seems to be the problem anyway, they forget they lost twice in the past.

For what it is worth my ancestors fought in the first world war (French & Indian) and the revolution both times on the wrong side, However my family left Canada for the warmer New England climate in the mid 1800’s , we lost a few in the so called “war of northern aggression” notice we fought for the wrong side again, but finally broke that habit in the “War to End all Wars” and WWII.

Korea and Nam were served also, Thank God none fell for the First Gulf war, Although I tried to sign up in the first one to be told by the Recruiter “that’s ok we will handle this one POP'S." Now it has been repeated by my 18 yr old nephew headed into the sandbox after Christmas.

Canada, our BEST Allie always, never forget their sacrifice to our causes to do so will disrespect to many heroes.

 

[CliffH]

Is there any legal way for a U.S. citizen to transport a firearm (or two) from the lower 48 to Alaska via Canada?

 

[Banta]

"Is there any legal way for a U.S. citizen to transport a firearm (or two) from the lower 48 to Alaska via Canada?"


Yes, here is a link that should be able to explain what is required. Probably the easiest thing to do would be to call one of the numbers at the bottom of the web page and ask them directly what is required.

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

 

[Freedom in theSkies]

As an Alberta Sportfishing & Hunting license issuer, I can say this: As far as hunting licenses go in Alberta (pro gun province), you need a "WIN" or Wildlife Identification Number that costs $8.00 and is good for 5 years. For hunting, you need a $22.80 Wildlife Certificate and then the specific tag for whatever species you are planning to accompany you home.
The Hunting License vender has no business asking you for a Firearms license unless you are purchasing ammo, or guns. PERIOD

As far as being eligable to hunt, you only need to initial the appropriate blocks on your WIN card application and you will be given hunting privledges in the Province.

Re; Mag. capacity, there are a few long guns such as the M-1 Garand and the Lee Enfienld rifles that are exempt. and are allowed 8 and 10 shot capacity respectively.

I was recently in California and I was in a gun shop shooting the breeze with the owner and a couple of patrons about guns and the like. I was dressing my Canadian Forces Battle Dress, so I was easily distinguishable as a "Foreign National"... One fellow said to me "it's too bad that you all can't own guns in Canada". My response was that it was easier and faster to aquire guns back home than in Kali... I listed off the hoops that we had to jump though and he listed off the Kali laws and we all agreed that Canada was less restrictive than Kali. Now I know that does not say much, but please take it for what it is...