Evergreen
Member
I, might be moving to northern Washington or Idaho and I have been looking into Canadian gun laws and permits. I was on some Canadian firearm websites and was looking over some information that mentioned that there may be a way for Americans to acquire a permit that would allow them to possess, purchase, shoot and carry (in rural areas) firearms in Canada that are legal. I understand Canada has very strict gun control compared to the USA and it is quite a shame it is so difficult for a Canadian, and especially an American, to be able to possess a firearm. The name of the license I am reading about is the Canadian Possession and Acquisition License (PAL).
Since I may be living near the Canadian border, I would love to have the ability to bring guns to and from Canada. I see that British Columbia, for example, has some nice shooting ranges. Also, I was planning on doing hiking or trekking in the Canadian mountains and I would like to carry both a handgun and a shotgun for protection in the Canadian wilderness. Although, I know it is illegal to carry a handgun in Canada in urban areas, I was told it is legal to carry a weapon in the wilderness for protection or hunting purposes. I am looking for some way to be able to possess a weapon when I am in the back country around there. Does anyone know if it is possible to do this? I am thinking if you are not outright allowed to carry a gun for protection, I can at least justify it with a hunting permit or whatever means necessary to allow myself to be in possession of a firearm when in the Canadian wilderness. Does anyone know if guns are banned in Canadian National Parks, like they are in the USA? I know the USA now allows conceal carry in National Parks, but since Canada has no conceal carry concept, I don't know how their laws handle firearm possession in National Parks, like Banff, etc.
So, I am wondering what steps I should take to acquire the PAL license. I am reading stories of many Washington state residents who have acquired this license. Since, I would be going back and forth to Canada with firearms a lot, I think I would be a good potential candidate. I am reading the process is very long, strict and cumbersome. It appears that it will require me taking all types of rigorous exams, which I understand I must do. Also, it appears they will be asking all types of strange questions and require that I give them a couple references.
The part about the references I find a bit strange and worrisome. It says it has to be two references you have known for two years. Personally, I don't feel comfortable just giving them the information of people I know and having them undergo questioning. Most people I have known for a long time are not so involved with firearms and I wouldn't want them to have to undergo this questioning. First of all, I am wondering, is it a big deal if I really know these people for 3 years? Cannot I just find some other people at the shooting range who I know are pro-2A and use them as my references? My second question is can both of my references be in the United States? They don't require these references to be Canadian? In this case, I don't know any Canadian people personally, as of yet, and don't think I can use them as a reference. I assume they are looking for references that are local to me.
There are some other questions I have. I am told that you have to get a signed letter by your local sheriff or police agency that vouches for your character and that you are legally able to possess a firearm license locally. Does anyone know how hard this is to do in areas like Bellingham, WA, Seattle, WA or Coeur d'Alene, ID? Also, I am told that they will ask you a tricky question that asks if you are in possessions of firearms that are banned in Canada. I am told because this is a Canadian federal document that you have to answer truthfully. Considering I will be living in WA and that I own firearms banned in Canada, how should I answer this question?
I guess, I am all scattered right now and just want to know the best way to go about acquiring the Canadian PAL, if it all possible. Is there any other alternatives if I just want to bring a couple guns in for protection in the wilderness?
I found one website that offers some good info, but I really need some advice from others who have gone through this procedure. Is there any Americans who have possession of a Canadian PAL or Canadians or any others who have knowledge about the procedure of an American citizen acquiring the Canadian PAL?
Here is the link to one website I found that has interesting information about acquiring the PAL:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Getting-a-Possession-and-Acquisition-License-PAL
Thanks very much for the help.
Since I may be living near the Canadian border, I would love to have the ability to bring guns to and from Canada. I see that British Columbia, for example, has some nice shooting ranges. Also, I was planning on doing hiking or trekking in the Canadian mountains and I would like to carry both a handgun and a shotgun for protection in the Canadian wilderness. Although, I know it is illegal to carry a handgun in Canada in urban areas, I was told it is legal to carry a weapon in the wilderness for protection or hunting purposes. I am looking for some way to be able to possess a weapon when I am in the back country around there. Does anyone know if it is possible to do this? I am thinking if you are not outright allowed to carry a gun for protection, I can at least justify it with a hunting permit or whatever means necessary to allow myself to be in possession of a firearm when in the Canadian wilderness. Does anyone know if guns are banned in Canadian National Parks, like they are in the USA? I know the USA now allows conceal carry in National Parks, but since Canada has no conceal carry concept, I don't know how their laws handle firearm possession in National Parks, like Banff, etc.
So, I am wondering what steps I should take to acquire the PAL license. I am reading stories of many Washington state residents who have acquired this license. Since, I would be going back and forth to Canada with firearms a lot, I think I would be a good potential candidate. I am reading the process is very long, strict and cumbersome. It appears that it will require me taking all types of rigorous exams, which I understand I must do. Also, it appears they will be asking all types of strange questions and require that I give them a couple references.
The part about the references I find a bit strange and worrisome. It says it has to be two references you have known for two years. Personally, I don't feel comfortable just giving them the information of people I know and having them undergo questioning. Most people I have known for a long time are not so involved with firearms and I wouldn't want them to have to undergo this questioning. First of all, I am wondering, is it a big deal if I really know these people for 3 years? Cannot I just find some other people at the shooting range who I know are pro-2A and use them as my references? My second question is can both of my references be in the United States? They don't require these references to be Canadian? In this case, I don't know any Canadian people personally, as of yet, and don't think I can use them as a reference. I assume they are looking for references that are local to me.
There are some other questions I have. I am told that you have to get a signed letter by your local sheriff or police agency that vouches for your character and that you are legally able to possess a firearm license locally. Does anyone know how hard this is to do in areas like Bellingham, WA, Seattle, WA or Coeur d'Alene, ID? Also, I am told that they will ask you a tricky question that asks if you are in possessions of firearms that are banned in Canada. I am told because this is a Canadian federal document that you have to answer truthfully. Considering I will be living in WA and that I own firearms banned in Canada, how should I answer this question?
I guess, I am all scattered right now and just want to know the best way to go about acquiring the Canadian PAL, if it all possible. Is there any other alternatives if I just want to bring a couple guns in for protection in the wilderness?
I found one website that offers some good info, but I really need some advice from others who have gone through this procedure. Is there any Americans who have possession of a Canadian PAL or Canadians or any others who have knowledge about the procedure of an American citizen acquiring the Canadian PAL?
Here is the link to one website I found that has interesting information about acquiring the PAL:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Getting-a-Possession-and-Acquisition-License-PAL
Thanks very much for the help.