r/canadaguns • u/DurtymaxDiesel • Mar 19 '26

Application / Regulation advice Opening a non profit range

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

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u/Cortexian0 Mar 19 '26

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.

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u/HALF-PRICE_ Mar 19 '26

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.