Canada Gun Laws
By: The Star

Six steps to owning a handgun in Canada

Basic steps to getting a restricted handgun:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Pass both the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.

Apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence, which includes a valid reason for wanting a handgun. The two main reasons are being a member of a target shoot club or for collection purposes. (Under rare circumstances occupational need, such as by a trapper in the north, is valid, or in even rarer circumstances, for protection of life.)

• A criminal and background check is conducted.

If approved, the licence is $80 and valid for five years.

• Pass a screening by the provincial chief firearms officer, which includes whether there are any public safety concerns with the applicant getting the handgun.

• To actually buy, trade or receive a gift of a handgun requires a final approval by the Chief Firearms Officer, who may require proof the gun is being acquired for an approved purpose.

• Submit for an Authorization to Transport, which allows the person to take the handgun from the place of purchase to his/her residence.

There are three legal classes of firearms in Canada. Here are the general rules:

• Prohibited: Handguns with a barrel length of 105 millimetres (4.2 inches) or less, or that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition; rifles or shotguns that have been altered so their barrel length is less than 457 mm (18.3 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (26.4 inches); automatic weapons and short semi-automatics.

• Restricted: Handguns with barrel lengths longer and calibres larger than prohibited ones; and some semi-automatics.

• Non-restricted: Ordinary hunting and sporting rifles, shotguns and airguns.

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