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?
44
Upvotes
1
u/IPSC_Canuck Mar 11 '26
Definitely not the case of listing you as a suspect. I’ve never even heard of anything like that before to be honest.
You are subject to a continued eligibility screen in the CPIC system every 24 hrs. But if you’re not doing assaulty stuff you’re gonna be fine.
However you do, in a way, open yourself up to warrantless searches in that you can be inspected for compliance with 24 hrs notice from the CFO. That said, I’ve NEVER heard of this happening with anyone who was law abiding and not being an idiot.
Long story short. It’s a great hobby with lots of super nice folks.
What you in theory give up, doesn’t take away from what you do get from it.
As an aside, I would look into what firearms you can even buy with an RPAL right now before you spend a bunch of money on it. You can’t transfer handguns, most(if not all?) of the rifles that were classified as restricted are now on the ban list. So i’m not sure there would be a reason to have the licence. That said, if you think that one day in a different political environment that stuff will be reversed and you want to be in a position to buy immediately, then go for it. But in my opinion, that’s a huge “IF” unfortunately.