Only way to get a handgun exemption???

[u/Stunning-Position759]

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.

[u/waitwhatnothing]

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.

[u/psinguine → u/waitwhatnothing]

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 .

[u/IGnuGnat → u/psinguine]

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.

[u/poltrojan → u/waitwhatnothing]

Foresters is one of them. Knew one of in Barry's Bay, ON.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/waitwhatnothing]

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?

[u/waitwhatnothing → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

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. 

[u/MBGLK → u/waitwhatnothing]

Could you find that comment that outlines the process please? I've looked and couldn't.

[u/theservman → u/MBGLK]

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.

[u/MBGLK → u/theservman]

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?

[u/theservman → u/MBGLK]

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.

[u/MBGLK → u/[deleted]]

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

[u/MBGLK → u/[deleted]]

I’m not sure why you’re so hostile.

What pistol are you looking for specifically? Any 22?

[u/theservman → u/[deleted]]

I can't speak for all provinces, but as a former pistol chair for ONTarget, I don't believe they do that in Ontario.

[u/waitwhatnothing → u/MBGLK]

I can’t find it but I think it might have been u/theservman 

[u/YYZYYC → u/waitwhatnothing]

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.

[u/waitwhatnothing → u/YYZYYC]

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.