r/canadaguns • u/GeneralMastodon9994 • Mar 11 '26

Application / Regulation advice Cons to having a PAL in Canada?

Hey everyone, I am considering getting the PAL license (restricted and non-restricted), and I wanted to ask if there are any cons to being a PAL holder in Canada?

Is it true that the government can pose you as a suspect if anything happens in the area where you live (firearm related) or just in general is it true that the government keeps an eye on you as a PAL holder?

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193

u/[deleted] Mar 11 '26

[deleted]

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u/geo-desik Mar 11 '26

Accept if you do commit some minor gun related infraction/mistake you'll likely be worse off then a true criminal...

30

u/TryInitial2042 Mar 11 '26

This is untrue. For minor mistakes nothing happens you just get a warning.

14

u/[deleted] Mar 11 '26

While some police officers might give you a warning they are well within their right to charge you with violating the firearms act. Which comes with a maximum penalty of 5 years in a Federal Prison. Which is exactly whats wrong with the system

What are we defining as minor here?

3

u/TryInitial2042 Mar 11 '26

Missing ATT. I know multiple people that have had their gun taken as they get the proper paperwork then given back to them when they have it in their possession. 

Pointing a firearm at someone. ( By accident) Almost never charged. 

I am not saying there are zero but it is absolutely not the norm to see charges for minor offenses with nothing else going on.

I knew another person who moved without updating their address and getting a ATT. CFO just gave them a verbal warning.

3

u/geo-desik Mar 11 '26

Thank you...

Well thats just it there's slew of things that could end up as violation.. but I'd say the most easy to commit would be storage and transport laws. But the point is criminals don't follow any and only get a slap if they commit multiple infractions that would put a PAL holder in jail + confiscation.