r/canadaguns • u/Stunning-Position759 • Mar 18 '26
Application / Regulation advice Only way to get a handgun exemption???
Why Does the “Protection of Life” Handgun Exemption Exist in Canada?
I’ve been doing some research into Canadian firearms law, specifically the exemptions related to restricted and prohibited handguns, and I came across something that raised a lot of questions for me.
Under section 20 of the Firearms Act, there is a category that allows individuals to possess restricted firearms or prohibited handguns for “Protection of Life.”
• The individual (or others) must face imminent danger from another person
• Police protection must be insufficient in the circumstances
• Possession of the firearm must be reasonably justified to prevent death or grievous bodily harm
What I find interesting is that an ATIP request reportedly showed that only one person in Canada currently holds this exemption.
Why does this category exist in legislation if it is almost never granted?
Has anyone tried to apply for this or has experience with this.
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u/julienjj Mar 18 '26
I would assume if you are under such threat you might be a highly public person in most cases and thus getting bodyguard protection service might just be easier and financially accessible. Protection services have ATC permits for their staff but it's different since the business owns the firearms.
At the same time it's shame because apparently only wealthy people matter. Regular joe who get's death threats for posting a video walking his cat in the rain can just call 911.
That's par for the course in a country where defending yourself from a home invasion at 2am gets you charged.
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u/mechant_papa Mar 18 '26
During the October Crisis, Cabinet ministers were offered sidearms. A few accepted.
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u/julienjj Mar 18 '26
I'm sure they had protection details from the RCMP too.
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u/mechant_papa Mar 18 '26
They did. A friend's father was a Quebec cabinet minister. I was told that Pierre Trudeau had been issued a handgun.
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
Which private protection security services have ATCs for providing personal protection to private citizens ?
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u/julienjj Mar 18 '26
Google, plenty of them exist. Usually those business also do valuables transport. I'm sure it cost a boatload of money.
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
I have a hard time imagining a typical brinks atm cash machine guard, doing close protection duties.
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u/Weak_Flamingo_3031 Mar 18 '26
I’ve heard of surveyors and trappers in grizzly areas that got approved to carry but that was a few years ago not sure if they still do.
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u/DimGrows Mar 18 '26
That’s for carrying in wilderness. Not the same as the exemption OP is talking about. Trappers and other remote wilderness occupations can still get approved.
Protection of life one I’ve only heard rumours but I’ve only ever heard of it being a handful of people or less in the whole country.
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u/mechant_papa Mar 18 '26
I was talking with someone in Ontario who had such a license. Essentially, the gun must stay stored until they leave for the trapline. After that, they must keep it holstered. Currently the Ontario CFO had only accepted hip holsters hanging from a belt. The question whether a chest holster would be accepted (less likely to get caught up when working but may look concealed) is still unresolved.
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u/pisspantsmcgee666 Mar 18 '26
Why in the hell does the type of holster matter man. What the fuck are we doing
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
And they require the gun to be at least .40 calibre or higher…since it’s for protection against large animals, for people who work alone and hands are full doing other stuff precluding them carrying a long gun.
Basically they go out of their way to make sure no one is trying to use it to conceal carry a sub compact for protection from humans
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u/xthemoonx Mar 18 '26
Maybe if you testify against gangs or something and they are dead set at getting revenge?
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u/SpinachStunning5547 Mar 18 '26
Nah they would just put you on witness protection. This exemption is probably only given to multi billionaire that have friends in high places
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 18 '26
So Carney's buddy's will be getting ATTs I guess in addition to the obscene taxpayer salaries.
That guy he appointed to handle military procurement, who has seemingly accomplished fuck all because we still haven't even sorted out the submarines, or fighter jets, and a bunch of other naval gear, yet he's collecting a $600k a year from the taxpayers fight now.
I gotta get in on this "expert consultant" scheme. Making a lot of people rich!
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u/waitwhatnothing Mar 18 '26
There are other ways to get a handgun exemption, there’s wilderness ATC for trappers and some other occupations. There’s also the exemption for competitors in ISSF pistol events.
I think the protection of life exemption is being phased out basically. It hasn’t been legal to just carry a handgun for self defence without some kind permit/exemption for over a hundred years and it’s just been made harder and harder to obtain over time.
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u/psinguine Mar 18 '26
It's not legal to carry anything for protection, with the exception of this carve out in the law. You cannot legally carry a pointy stick if you claim that it's for self protection .
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u/IGnuGnat Mar 18 '26
It's not legal to carry anything for protection against humans
It's legal, for example, to carry a heavy stick or dog spray for the purposes of protection against dogs. It's legal to carry bear spray, a shotgun for protection against bears
It's not legal to carry anything for protection against humans; I think there are some additional exceptions we haven't seen discussed. For example Brinks truck drivers or armoured car drivers can get some kind of license to carry; so if you're protecting money or valuables in transportation, apparently that's somehow worth more than a human life, then you can carry.
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 Mar 18 '26
There’s also the exemption for competitors in ISSF pistol events.
This a bit of a catch-22 no? You need a pistol to start practicing or competing in ISSF events. But you need to participate in ISSF events to get an exemption.
So how does one start the process - find a coach or ISSF Pistol Club and go from there?
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u/waitwhatnothing Mar 18 '26
I think that’s the case, there’s a coach who mentioned the process in a thread before. With an RPAL you can even borrow a gun to go to competitions.
When you do buy your own you will be limited to competition specific .22lr handguns.
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u/MBGLK Mar 18 '26
Could you find that comment that outlines the process please? I've looked and couldn't.
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u/theservman on Mar 19 '26
If you're training for, competing in, or coaching the Olympic Pistol events, you can acquire an appropriate pistol for the events you compete in (generally an 22lr semi). To do this you need an exemption letter from the Shooting Federation of Canada (the national sport governing body - you'll need to be a member with some kind of record of competition).
Until you can acquire your own, you will need to borrow a pistol - either a club gun if those are available or from a coach or friend.
Restricted firearms can be borrowed, so long as you have the correct license. The lender must also give you the registration certificate for the firearm and you will need an ATT. Ontario (probably others) will issue an ATT for up to 6 months which can be renewed.
If you're in SW Ontario, the Ontario Intercounty Handgun League is recognized by the SFC (oihl.ca for information and to see affiliated clubs). You can also participate in matches sanctioned by the SFC to get a record as an athlete.
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u/MBGLK Mar 19 '26
The issue I’m having is there aren’t any sanctioned events or clubs in Edmonton. I’ve been training with an air pistol at my club for years. So it’s a catch 22. I need a letter to get a competition 22 but I need to compete to get a letter.
What would you recommend?
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u/theservman on Mar 19 '26
Talk to someone closer to your area - I'm way the hell down in southern Ontario. I know Calgary Rifle and Pistol Club does sanctioned matches (there's at least one Olympian who trains there) they may have some suggestions or look at the Alberta Handgun Association - the provincial sport governing body.
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Mar 19 '26
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u/MBGLK Mar 19 '26
What do you mean? There’s plenty of 22s in Canada for sale.
Can you elaborate on “promise to train”? They require a history of practice and participation
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Mar 20 '26
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u/MBGLK Mar 20 '26
I’m not sure why you’re so hostile.
What pistol are you looking for specifically? Any 22?
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Mar 19 '26
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u/theservman on Mar 19 '26
I can't speak for all provinces, but as a former pistol chair for ONTarget, I don't believe they do that in Ontario.
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
ATC for trappers and scientists in the north (last ditch polar bear protection) is still not at all the same thing as walking around town/village strapping a pistol when you’re going about your business. It’s only allowed when they are working certain amount of km from a built up area and at work.
Too many people seem to think that having one of those ATCs allows those trappers to open or conceal carry whenever and wherever…..nothing could be farther from the truth.
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u/waitwhatnothing Mar 18 '26
I never implied anything of the sort, I was just saying that the incredibly rare “protection of life exemption” is not the only exemption that allows a person to acquire a handgun post-freeze and the others are actually more common. The OP was asking if it was the only exemption.
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u/PrestigiousStatus711 Mar 18 '26
Protecting yourself is reserved for the elites. Lowly peasants shall not be allowed to protect themselves.
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u/starw24-ps4 Mar 18 '26
Used to be a lot more people had that exemption from what I heard back in the day. Nowadays most criminals just carry a gun on them knowing we have a catch and release system.
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u/COUNTRYCOWBOY01 Mar 18 '26
I do believe as it stands theres one person in canada the federal CFO has approved for a permit to carry without being a sworn officer officer of a law enforcement agency. and they are apparently in witness protection and heavily monitored. Even your provincial CFO cannot get approval from the federal CFO to get a permit to carry.
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Mar 18 '26
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u/pisspantsmcgee666 Mar 18 '26
It's very interesting that the guy in Vaughn got off yesterday without charges after opening up on home intruders.
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u/gamercast1337 Mar 18 '26
It was to throw us a bone to show that they dont charge every person. That's the only reason. If the conservatives didn't table that bill for self defense they would have charged him.
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u/CalibreMag Mar 18 '26
Silvercore and the NFA have produced a guide to being granted an ATC that allows one to buy handguns.
I'm perennially surprised it hasn't gotten more attention.
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u/gamercast1337 Mar 18 '26
Can ya link that here ? Bless ya if you do 🙏
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u/CalibreMag Mar 18 '26
You betcha.
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u/gamercast1337 Mar 18 '26
Bless you man, maybe we should all apply for it and fill em up with paperwork
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u/Bucky_Goldstein Mar 18 '26
theres a video on youtube floating around about what the qualifications are to get a handgun carry exemption
https://youtu.be/RdYdV-6_1VI?si=Dwjj-CqUz7MJH3WM
the lady there got an exemption to carry as a hunting guide, but its extremely rare they give them out, basically she was out in the woods and needed something quicker than a rifle if approached by a bear
its a long video but its worth a listen
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u/StumpedTrump Mar 18 '26
Not the same one. Wilderness is a different permit and not valid for use on humans. The one OP is talking about is absolutely for use against humans.
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u/StumpedTrump Mar 18 '26
IIRC it’s for judges and high-profile legal cases where there’s a credible threat to the person and having hired protection isn’t an option.
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u/nejnedau Mar 18 '26
Tappers out in Nova Scotia tried and lost,, Courts defer to govt, and Govt only has to say their decision is reasonable to win in court. A mountie said they met one in his career with a conceal permit,, was at at airport and The person with the permit isnt allowed to say they have the permit,, was only a buldge that the mountie caught that made him quietly ask the guy what the bulge was, and they guy whispered , I have this letter you now have to read, There was a biker wanna be in Calgary that had the permit also,, We knew him.
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u/undernopretextbro Mar 18 '26
When I was taking my test the instructor said he only heard of 1 exemption issued throughout western Canada.
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u/FinanceAP Mar 18 '26
Become a trapper?
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u/Duramaximizer Mar 20 '26
I'm a trapper, professional guide and nuisance wildlife control operator. My CFO wouldn't even let me apply for the ATC and basically said it was a waste of my time since it wouldn't go anywhere.
Maybe in other provinces but it doesn't work in mine with my CFO.
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u/FinanceAP Mar 23 '26
:( when I took my course, the instructor brought in a game warden to chat with us, and back then according to them it was one of the few ways to get an ATC. But this was ages ago go…
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
There was reporting in the media decades ago of their being like 13 or so being issued…still a bizarre small number. It was sometimes given out as a bit of a political perk…there was a Toronto city politician who had one in the 1980s…he was a friend of the cops and had been on the police commission as well as on city council…he owned some bakeries as well and shot a guy trying to rob one of them.
It was also reportedly issued occasionally to judges who were trying high risk court cases or to recently retired cops who where still going to be giving evidence in court on some big mob case or whatever for a year or 2 after retiring.
I also recall hearing one was issued to a Canadian Army General after he returned from the Balkans in the 90s and was hated by the Serb community and was under some significant threats.
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u/Thegears89 Mar 18 '26
Maybe if literally everyone with a PAL applies for one, the government might seen that people want to defend themselves?
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u/hectop20 Mar 18 '26
If you join an olympic shooting team you can qualify for an exemption, although it would only be for a .22 or .177 air pistol
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u/Fuck_you_all22 Mar 18 '26
"Imminent danger". But the approval will be granted after the imminent danger gets approved.
When an indian origin business owner demanded gary "give us pal, so we can shootback at extortionists, he wasn't wrong.
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u/outline8668 Mar 18 '26
It exists because some well-connected politician thought of a hypothetical scenario in which he might want that option and was able to get it included when the legislation was being drafted. It was never intended for regular people like us.
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u/pisspantsmcgee666 Mar 18 '26
One person has this exemption? Who could be so important they get that exemption but also don't have a 24/7 security detail? That itself is fuckin' weird.
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u/BottleFederal Mar 19 '26
If it's protection of life against humans, then yeah, pretty low. Maybe if you're a politician who was send multiple serious death threats you might get it but not a regular citizen.
As for protection against wildlife, it's pretty common. In Ontario if you're North of Parrie Sound and you work in a remote wilderness area where there is wildlife, not just bears but moose, wolves, whatever wants to kill you, you can get up to 3 handguns once you have your ATC so long as you sell yourself properly. However them accepting you for an ATC vs them giving you an exemption to purchase 3 are two different things. So good luck.
Self defense against wild life is usually .357 and higher for calibers Dispatch of wildlife for trapping is 22lr-9mm
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u/Whispersfine Mar 18 '26
The only possible background is prospectors. If you can prove that you work almost exclusively in the wilderness and will travel a lot through bear country and backed by your employer, then perhaps yes in a few years you will receive your exemption
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
And that only works for when you are a certain amount of km outside a built up area
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Mar 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/gnu_gai Mar 18 '26
People with an ATC can still apply for an exemption to buy handguns (trappers, armoured car guards, etc.); as can sport shooters in Olympic handgun disciplines
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u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26
Olympic handgun shooters shouldn’t need an ATC though. Exemption to purchase and regular ATT yes
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u/[deleted] Mar 18 '26
Didnt that CFO AMA reveal that basically only 2 or 3 people have ever received that exemption?