How to become a firearms owner in Canada, what comes with it, and what

laws apply to you?

It isnt easy to navigate the virtual minefield of gun law in Canada. But the best
place to start is licencing.
The first thing a presumptive gun owner does is apply for the right type of course
he/she wants. There are two real options to choose from.
#1: PAL or Possession and Acquisition Licence
The PAL is your basic licence. It allows you to purchase and possess rifles and
shotguns over a certain length. These are labelled as non-restricted. The
storage requirements are pretty lax by international standards, only requiring
for the firearm to be disabled, put in a secure room and stowed out of sight of
ammunition. non-restricted firearms can be used for hunting target
shooting or competition. They can also be shot on crown land *
(government owned land).
#2: RPAL or Restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence
The RPAL contains all the privileges as the PAL but also allows the holder to
possess more types of firearms. This doesnt come without restrictions
though. RPAL holders are allowed to possess handguns and any firearm that
the RCMP arbitrarily decides is too dangerous to be classified as nonRestricted. This isnt without its restrictions though, as mentioned earlier. In
order to shoot their restricted firearms, RPAL holders need to apply for a
ATT or authorization to transport from the RCMP, basically allowing them to
transport their hardware to and from the range. Speaking of the range, those
with an RPAL also need to have a range membership at all times, which can
run in the hundreds of dollars. You can also only shoot on a range.

After the presumptive gun owner decides he/she wants to follow through, they must
spend around 120$ for a PAL or 200$ for an RPAL at an accredited training center.
The course is 8 hours for the former and 16 for the latter. There is a written and a
practical test, for both. In order to pass, applicants need to score 80% or higher on
all the tests.

*Restrictions apply
The tests are easy enough, as long as you remember the rules of firearm safety.
Assume the firearm is loaded
Control the muzzle direction
Trigger finger off the trigger
See that the firearm is unloaded PROVE it safe
And you can prove a firearm safe
Point the firearm in the safest available direction
Remove all cartridges
Observe the chamber
Verify the feeding path
Examine the bore
So now that all that is done, time for forms.
There is a long list of items that need to be filled out on the forms, its best to just
list it.
1. Two references (may or may not be interviewed by RCMP)
2. A recent identifiable photo
3. Photo guaranteed by a guarantor
4. No history of domestic violence
5. No criminal record
6. Name and contact information of spouse
7. No psychological issues (even minor conditions will get you disqualified)
8. No significant relationship breakdown in the last two years
9. No bankruptcy in the last two years
10.No job loss in the last two years

After all that you also need to attach a processing fee of 60-80$ depending on
licence.
Now we wait.
And wait.
And wait.
For up to 6 months for the RCMP to slog through the nearly 50,000+ application
backlog to either accept or deny yours.
So now by some leap of faith you have been mailed your licence, huzzah!
Now you can go shopping, but not after buying a 2000$ gun safe if you are a RPAL
recipient and want to buy a restricted firearm. Then applying for the forms to
allow you to take your new purchase home.
Thankfully, non-restricted firearms dont need to go through any of that nonsense,
and can be shipped complete with ammunition straight to the permit holders door.
After the seller checks the credentials of the buyer that is. There are large online
marketplaces where legal gun owners trade and sell firearms as well. The transfer
and purchase of non-restricted firearms between licence holders is legal and
happens every day.
Now that you have passed through the trials and tribulations of becoming a legal
gun owner, you now have to face a few new realities.
1. Your residence can now be searched with 24 hours notice without a warrant.
2. You cannot commit a crime for the rest of your life. Unless you want all of
your firearms confiscated.
3. Any interactions with police, even peaceful ones, come with a call from the
RCMP a few hours later asking what happened. You must now justify and
defend yourself, or else all of your firearms may be confiscated.
4. A background check is run on you every day.

All these things seem difficult, and they are, but they are for a reason. They dont
make simple for you to join the club. But in the end you get to enjoy a community
over two million strong of law abiding good people like yourself.
Some may call the whole process stupid.
But hey, thats life.

You signed up for it.