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.
1
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