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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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 13 '26
As others have said, it is an expensive hobby. I'd suggest starting with a 22lr and maybe a 223 if costs are a factor at all. I've probably spent $10-15k on guns an ammo in the last year, maybe even 20k, it is a substantial amount of my "disposable income". Doesn't have to be that way, I just really like guns and like to have lots of ammo on hand so that if finances change, I'm never out of ammo.
That said, guns also hold their value extremely well, so if you buy a rifle, I always look at it like that money isn't gone, it's just tied up. Selling a gun used, in good shape, you'll usually get about 80% of what you paid for it back. Sometimes even more than you paid depending on how values go up and down. SKS used to be a $200 gun, it's now nearing $1000. A lot of guys have turned a nice little profit when selling their SKS.
Took me ages to get my approval when I did mine, 18 months of waiting with no explanation really, never contacted my references or anything. Just the luck of the draw I guess. Some people have them approved in weeks, some wait a year or more. Getting your application in sooner is better than later.