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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132

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '26

Didnt that CFO AMA reveal that basically only 2 or 3 people have ever received that exemption?

66

u/Brandon_awarea Mar 18 '26

Exactly what I thought. He said HE only approved (or saw, idk which) 2 so there definitely could be more that that particular guy didn’t approve.

But very low numbers regardless

42

u/waitwhatnothing Mar 18 '26

He said that this particular exemption is not handled by CFOs, it goes up a level to Ottawa, so it was 2 nationally and now 1.

22

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '26

He said all exemptions are handled by Ottawa now. CFOs don't regulate exemptions any more.

26

u/waitwhatnothing Mar 18 '26

In the past it was more common, I think in recent years only 2-3 had and now it’s down to one. I know for example that a Toronto city councillor, Norm Gardner, had one in the early 90’s.

26

u/JazzlikeSort Mar 18 '26

He shot and wounded an unarmed robber at his bakery. He admitted to having the permit due to death threats in the inquiry after. Police did not lay charges.

On an unrelated note, he sat on the police service board at the time and was their biggest supporter in city hall.

8

u/YYZYYC Mar 18 '26

Ya he was a friend of the police and was given one under old school methods, because it was a way of appeasing his ego and winning favour politically for his vote in support of the cops, more so than actually needing one due to legit threats.

2

u/waitwhatnothing Mar 18 '26

Yeah handgun permits, both for ownership and to carry firearms protection, were largely handled by local police for many years. 

27

u/HappyCan7250 Mar 18 '26

Well, we have seen some criminals have handgun charges dropped when they claimed they "feared for their life", so I guess if you're a criminal the crown will grant you an ATT after the fact basically? /s

21

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '26

The Canadian judicial system is so backwards it can only leave me to believe it is deeply corrupt. I don't think even this degree of failure can be attributed to incompetence and ignorance.

5

u/gamercast1337 Mar 18 '26

Jee I wonder what the relation between all judicial systems not only in canada but USA and many other western nations have in common is 🤔 definitely not billionaire backed activist funding to allow criminals run amok and destroy our high trust society to allow for creeping authoritarianism.  Its clearly just incompetence!

6

u/HALF-PRICE_ Mar 18 '26

It was set up so that almost no person could achieve success. The system is there to say “look there is a path to what you want” and the hurdles are there to make sure you cannot pass.