Opening a non profit range

[u/DurtymaxDiesel]

I was talking to some pal instructors about the restricted firearms in Canada. They mentioned that opening a non profit range might be a way to aquire some handguns and other restricted firearms. Can anyone confirm this and if so how do I start the process.

Just to confirm, I do have my rpal if that matters in this scenario

[u/Cortexian0]

Shooting clubs and ranges | Royal Canadian Mounted Police

As set out in the Shooting Club and Shooting Ranges Regulations, a "shooting range" is "a place that is designed or intended for the safe discharge of firearms, on a regular and structured basis for the purpose of target practice or target shooting competitions."

All shooting ranges require the approval of the Chief Firearms Officer of the province or territory in which they are located, unless:

they are on the premises of a licensed firearms business and are used only by licensed owners and employees of that business; or

they are only used by public agents, such as police officers, in relation to their lawful employment duties.

Call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 to check whether a club or range you want to join is approved by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer.

Per the regs:

shooting club means a non-profit organization whose activities include target practice or target shooting competitions using restricted firearms or prohibited handguns at an identified approved shooting range. (club de tir)

shooting range means a place that is designed or intended for the safe discharge, on a regular and structured basis, of firearms for the purpose of target practice or target shooting competitions. (champ de tir)

Have a detailed read through those regs and they will explain the process to you. A club operates at a range (or ranges). You need a range first, or proof that you have intent to build a compliant one, and then you can apply to start a shooting club that operates on that range.

The only way I could possibly see this allowing you get an exemption to the current handgun freeze is if you purchased firearms as the licensed business operating the range, to be held at the range, for the purpose of allowing shooting club members the ability to use them during club-sanctioned shooting events.

Obviously as the owner of the range, you could then use those firearms yourself any time at that range. I doubt they would let you register them yourself, likely just give you the required import/transfer authorizations to get the firearms under the business license.

[u/HALF-PRICE_ → u/Cortexian0]

And getting that licence is at the CFO’s discretion. They are stopping you. There is no work around for it except voting to stop the government from blocking your hobbies.

[u/tmsa_prez]

Also bylaws; part of your approvals is to prove you’re allowed to exist. You’d think they have that on file by now as we have been on this property for over 50 years, but they want it sent every time.

Our city has a ban on new shooting ranges; we have an exemption listed in the law.

[u/Claus-Buchi]

Why non profit? With all the work it’s going to take you might as well make some money.

[u/julienjj → u/Claus-Buchi]

Mandatory in quebec for having restricted. yes, it's dumb.

[u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

No! Your firearm possession has nothing to do with the range you may go to. And I dont believe ANY PAL instructor told you this.

As for starting a range, how serious are you about it? Do you even understand what's involved? Or did you mean a non-profit club?

[u/waitwhatnothing → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

Holding a business license would allow the business to acquire handguns. The range would have to be a business… not sure why non-profit was brought up. 

[u/HALF-PRICE_ → u/waitwhatnothing]

Also the business license is issued by the CFO and they will not hand that out.

[u/Wildlabman → u/waitwhatnothing]

I'm sorry, but you are incorrect on this fact. Even a non-profit club can hold a BFL (Business Firearm License). The range does not need to be a "for profit business". I know this because my club is a nonprofit and they hold a BFL and have since the club was founded.

[u/waitwhatnothing → u/Wildlabman]

Sorry, that wasn’t quite what I was trying to say. The point I was making is that what allows you to acquire handguns is a BFL. Getting a BFL doesn’t really have anything to do with being a non-profit or not, it has to do with being a “business” in order to qualify for a BFL. 

[u/RelativeFox1]

I think they are the people to ask for more details. I don’t think the government will let you buy pistols because you are a non for profit.