Coffee Shop Discussions

[Steve51]

In our little town coffee shop the other morning someone mentioned in a "matter of fact" way that Canadians are not allowed to own handguns. They stated only law enforcement or government authorities were allowed handguns.

In the back of my mind, I was thinking that our member Ranch Roper lives in Canada and I was pretty sure he owned a revolver. I kept my mouth shut and let them ramble on but I was having my doubts about the facts.

Someone enlighten me! Please!

[daytime dave]

Ranch Roper indeed is allowed to own a handgun. It is pretty well restricted, but he has an interesting handgun to go along with his Original Henry copy in .45 long Colt. I'm sure he will be by sooner or later to elaborate.

[RanchRoper]

From the RCMP website:
All firearms in Canada fall into one of three classes - non-restricted, restricted or prohibited.

Non-restricted firearm: any rifle or shotgun that is neither restricted nor prohibited. Most common long guns are non-restricted, but there are exceptions.

Restricted firearm* means:

a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm,
a firearm that
is not a prohibited firearm,
has a barrel less than 470 mm in length, and
is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,
a firearm that is designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm by folding, telescoping or otherwise, or
a firearm of any other kind that is prescribed to be a restricted firearm in the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted.
Prohibited firearm* means:

a handgun that
has a barrel equal to or less than 105 mm in length, or
is designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32 calibre cartridge, but does not include any such handgun that is prescribed, where the handgun is for use in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union,
a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,
is less than 660 mm in length, or
is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length,
an automatic firearm, whether or not it has been altered to discharge only one projectile with one pressure of the trigger, or
any firearm that is prescribed to be a prohibited firearm in the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted.

[RanchRoper]

So in a nutshell, I do own a non-restricted (1860 Henry) and restricted (1871 revolver). My "PAL" possession and acquisition license allows me to transport both to the range. I can take my rifle almost anywhere without issue, but the ONLY place to legally discharge my handgun is at a licensed range. Rifle I can pack horseback in backcountry, pistol is a no-no. Handgun must have trigger lock and be in locked case for transport. Break the rules and get caught? Lose all gun privileges for sure, a hefty fine is likely, and depending on the judge, might get jail time.
Criminals operate under different rules I think...

Basically Canadian law says; NO CARRY FOR YOU!

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[Steve51]

Thanks RR! I guess my friend should have said - "Canadians can own a handgun they just can't use it."

You are correct that criminals do not follow the rules. Criminals break the laws and governments punish the law abiding. In the United States they call that "COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION"

[RanchRoper]

Haha. Oh well we just follow the rules and enjoy our firearms the best way we can. Hope that answers your questions.

[roddy]

I'll add (for clarity) that there are also different classifications for the licenses as well. A PAL (possession acquisition license) allows the holder to buy/have ammunition and non-restricted firearms. To have a restricted firearm, one must have the "RPAL". I just have the PAL, and considered upgrading, but even with the proper license you're a little too restricted. I'd love to have a little rimfire revolver for plinking around the woods on our property, but I couldn't even do that "legally".

[roddy]

Thanks RR! I guess my friend should have said - "Canadians can own a handgun they just can't use it."

[RanchRoper]

Even our wild west wasn't that wild...the NWMP saw to that. They policed firearms quite well in the late 1800's in western Canada.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, RR. Have often wondered about the handgun laws gun Canada.

[RanchRoper]

Thanks, RR. Have often wondered about the handgun laws gun Canada.

It's complicated because they don't reeeally want you to have one....