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.
72
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.