Henry Rifle Forums

I have applied for a permit to carry my revolver in the back country when horseback. This is a VERY tough thing to get in Canada, and the RCMP does not issue many. So I'm not holding my breath, but I've sent in the application anyway. I'm not full-time employed in remote areas, nor do I have a working trap-line, and that is the basic criteria. Just mailed it today, so we'll see what happens. I attached a separate cover letter explaining my reasoning, but it's a long shot. $40 down the drain if they stamp it "no".

hope it works out for you .... any idea how long the review process takes

No idea, except it is a government operation....

If I haven't heard anything by Christmas I'll consider it declined....

interesting .... one would think that you should be notified one way or the other

I'd like to find out what the $40 charge is for, RR. You said you lose that $$, if permit is denied. So is the $40 just a processing fee? If approved, what then is the revolver permit fee going to cost?

Agree with JEBar that a person should be notified either way. The $40 surely does cover the government's cost of an envelope and postage stamp.

RanchRoper wrote:I have applied for a permit to carry my revolver in the back country when horseback. This is a VERY tough thing to get in Canada, and the RCMP does not issue many. So I'm not holding my breath, but I've sent in the application anyway. I'm not full-time employed in remote areas, nor do I have a working trap-line, and that is the basic criteria. Just mailed it today, so we'll see what happens. I attached a separate cover letter explaining my reasoning, but it's a long shot. $40 down the drain if they stamp it "no".

Not sure what is involved there, but a lot goes on here in the process, more than just looking over the application and deciding yes or no. A background check is conducted, fingerprints run, calls made. Time is invested. VA is a shall issue state these days, they have to find cause NOT to issue, or you get the permit, or renewal... $50... for five years.

$40 to apply, non-refundable. They will notify either way. If issued its a 1 yr permit, $80 for 2 yrs. Max is 2 yrs then reapply. And it's strictly for wilderness IF you get one. Get caught anywhere else and off to jail.

I didn't realize Canadian gun laws are so strict.

Yes, especially handguns. All legal handgun owners have a "Restricted" license, meaning restrictions on where you can shoot and how you can transport and store them. Discharging a handgun is legal only at a licensed gun range. Period. Not saying people don't shoot them on their own land or acreages, but it's not legal. They run the risk of having their license revoked, and all gun ownership privileges taken away. Maybe a big fine and some jail time depending on the judge.
All handguns are registered with the RCMP. Every legal handgun owner gets a background check every day. Yup, they run the database daily. I had a background check yesterday, today and will have one tomorrow.
Rifles are not registered anymore.


So.....the message is....we follow the rules and enjoy our gun ownership....and shoot as often as we can!

Wish me luck, and maybe i can pack my pistol in the back country one day....until then, I have my trusty Henry rifle!

once again, just curious .... are the rules the same for black powder pistols and rifles

From the manual;
- Non-Restricted Firearms are commonly used for hunting, i.e. rifles and shotguns
- Restricted Firearms are for a lawful professions like security guard, target practice or competition like SASS or mounted shooting, or collectors and in rare cases protection of life (my application today)...these would be handguns, revolvers and even black powder guns like an 1847 Walker clone
- Prohibited Firearms are for police, etc and include automatic weapons, sawed-off weapons, barrels shorter than 4 1/8" and such

Antique firearms like an original vintage Henry or old black powder pistol are not subject to the above.

My P.A.L. (possession and acquisition) license is for non-restricted and restricted. 2 separate RCMP courses must be passed to obtain the license. I also have special conditions attached to be able to transport my restricted revolver to the range and back, to a gun show and back, to a repair shop and back. No place else. Take a trip to town first for a coffee and get stopped for any reason?...bad idea.

Canada has a very different history with firearms going back to the Northwest Mounted Police (pre-RCMP) who managed gun control as far back as the 1800's here. We did not have a "wild west" period, or the same type of western expansion of the frontier as the USA. Different culture right from the get-go. Lots of hunters here, but you just have to play by the rules. Hope this helps explain it.

10-4 .... background info appreciated ....

Good Luck RR I hope you get it.

Thanks. Whatever happens is fine. Chuck Connors did ok without a pistol...

I'm curious ... which permit did the RCMP issue to the 2 guys that robbed my sister-in-law at gunpoint in Hamilton last winter? Maybe you could apply for that one.

As with all things, the rules apply to us law abiding folks only. Hope your sister in law was ok.

The worst things seem to happen in gun free zones.

RR, Thank you for supplying the language from the manual. It helps us all understand how things work there. I especially like how you described the Canadian western expansion. It is how I was taught about it in school and from talking with Canadians I met at a conference in Toronto. albin25, sorry to hear about your sister in law. That type of permit seems universal. The criminal "code" was written to be similar everywhere.

Thanks for the interesting posts about the Canadian gun process. I hope you get your permit.

RR's explanation of Canada's gun laws sure makes one feel lucky to be living in the good old USA....

Yup, wherever you hang your hat, you work with what you got. I'm happy to pack my rifle horseback. A revolver would be a bonus but it's all good either way.