r/canadaguns • u/LukeWarmAmalade • Mar 19 '26
Application / Regulation advice Importing a handgun with an exemption letter
Recently got my exemption for 25m pistol and can buy a 22, anyone here familiar with the importing process or with any stores that might still maintain a stock of them? Any help would be greatly appreciated the ones around me don’t have any currently.
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u/MBGLK Mar 19 '26
If you’re willing to, I would be grateful if you could explain how the process went for you to get the exemption letter.
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u/Captain-Hammer Mar 20 '26
Seconded. Have started bullseye at my local club but would be interested on how much and what evidence was provided!
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
I’m in bc, so the process may vary a bit province to province but I just signed a request for an exemption letter stating that I wish to train in 25m pistol and sent it to the bctsa after buying a membership with them. After about two weeks they sent me and exemption request letter back that I just show to the store and send to the cfo (maybe the store sends it to the cfo? I’m still new to this don’t know exactly how it works), and then they’ll approve the transfer. It was really simple, cost like 50 for membership and only took like 2-3 weeks
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Mar 20 '26
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u/My_boy_baron Mar 20 '26
Yea I'm in BC and my club said you need to compete in at least 3 competitions before you could even apply for an exemption. This was to make it slightly more difficult for people who just want a hand gun. Not to say they're right but they seemed pretty sure of themselves
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
The bctsa website says contrary and they’re the regulatory body, they say the individual just needs to be desiring to train. I can provide the link to the page sometime soon. Sounds like they were misinformed
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
That makes sense, you’re definitely correct, the wordage on the website was subtly vague. I was going to call them tomorrow to straighten out the process.
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u/Dry-Meringue-8744 Mar 25 '26
did you call? looking for info on this as i do shoot pistol a few time per month
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 26 '26
I called, the exemption request letter with the bctsa is the exemption and you send it upon initiating a handgun transfer. You’re are not required to have prior shooting experience
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
Spoke to the cfo today, the exemption letter from the club is the exemption, and I submit it to the cfo after initiating a transfer
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u/Comfortable_Image299 Mar 21 '26
Part of the BCTSA exemption request letter includes a make, model, and caliber. How did you submit an exemption request without model already identified?
I'm in BC, a member of BCTSA, WIPL, and an training at a club for WIPL competition. Working on a C-21 exemption.
All information is most welcome... Anything you can provide on they process, obtaining the exemption letter/ CFO approval, etc, most welcome!! Please DM me with any information.
Also- looking for a S&W Mark 41 if anyone here has information for NOS!
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 23 '26
I did identify the model I just forgot to mention it, was having a slow day when I posted this lol. Ruger mk iv was specified
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u/CoolGuy1980 Mar 20 '26
I have gone through just about one full season of 25m pistol bullseye, competing in a provincial league in Ontario. Just got my letter through the SFC a couple weeks ago after being able to show my official match scores as proof.
Basically, compete with a borrowed pistol, become an SFC member, provide proof to the SFC of being an active competition at the end of the season, request the letter (for a specific model of 22lr pistol only), buy pistol, email letter to the CFO when requested during the transfer, hope for a 'Yes'.
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Mar 20 '26
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u/CoolGuy1980 Mar 20 '26
I'm sorry, I just wrote what I personally did. "How the process went for me.'
But I guess I'm 'wrong' about what I myself did?
I had not tried to request the letter earlier - even though it does sound like I could have, but my personal recap is still correct.
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u/TacticalCapybara Mar 20 '26
What if I want to train 25m pistol with a deagle
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u/AdditionalLoss7274 Mar 20 '26
This guy is onto something.
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 23 '26
I mean if you can find a reason that the coach can justify that you need one to practice, and you find a coach willing to sign off on it you can request a higher calibre gun
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u/Fuck_you_all22 Mar 19 '26
Can an owner of 22 transfer to an exempt individual? Both transferer and transferee have to bd exempt?
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Mar 20 '26
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u/wanderinghunter1996 Mar 20 '26
I was wondering the same thing, I've been wanting to get a Ruger mk II or Mk III.
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u/waitwhatnothing Mar 20 '26
I’ve heard no, they’ll only approve competition guns, like the funky looking ones.
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
That is not true, my exemption request form is for a Ruger mk iv
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u/CoolGuy1980 Mar 20 '26
Ruger MkIV's are a very common bullseye competition target pistol and are exactly the type that the exemption letters are for.
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u/dannysmackdown Mar 20 '26
But it hasn't gotten approved yet right?
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
No it has, spoke to the cfo today, I submit my letter when I initiate a transfer
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u/dannysmackdown Mar 20 '26
Ah nice! Let me know what pistol you end up picking up. I'd like to get one myself even if it's only a .22 target pistol.
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u/waitwhatnothing Mar 20 '26
Just going off what I’ve heard in Ontario. Let us know if you get your Mk IV.
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u/AssociationJust3879 Mar 20 '26
ive heard many mixed things about this exemption letter, the Canadian shooting federation told me via email that only competition guns can be approved and not the Glock 22lr i want to get, haven’t tried bc association yet but most likely the same thing
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Mar 20 '26
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u/i-Hermit Mar 20 '26
So does this work at a provincial level (and vary by province)?
I thought this sort of licensing and exemption would need to come from the feds? Or are provincial CFO allowed to issue exemption letters for these .22lr competition pistols?
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u/Curious_Joe2020 14d ago
Anything 22LR can be approved in BC as long the barrel length is 4.17 inches or longer. But you need to find inventory first which you won't be able to in Canada.
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u/goshathegreat Mar 20 '26
You need to specify which handgun you are buying before you apply…
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 20 '26
Yes I am aware of that, I did. Didn’t realize I forgot to mention that in the post. I’m approved for a Ruger mk iv
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u/ClubDeTirDeMontreal Club de Tir de Montreal (Verified) Mar 20 '26
Reach out to CRAFM. They should have stock
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u/LukeWarmAmalade Mar 30 '26
I did and they did, thanks so much!
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u/Desperate_Finance_91 May 12 '26
Hey, how much was the price of mark iv? , I'm debating if I should import it pr buy it at a premium in canada
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u/LukeWarmAmalade May 15 '26
I paid 850 so it would’ve been subtly more expensive to import and since it was secondhand it came zeroed, but all told I feel like it’s probably a better deal to import after shopping around in country for a good deal
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u/Desperate_Finance_91 May 15 '26
i got a 22/45 lite for 1200+ tax. I didnt wanna do the whole import process on the other hand no one is buying the buckmarks, they're selling less than msrp
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u/ShanIsToxic Jun 09 '26
Can 9mm handguns like the gen 5 glocks be bought with the exception?
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u/Curious_Joe2020 14d ago
9mm Glock is not for target shooting. They are terrible with accuracy. The short answer is no to 9mm Glock.
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u/rusty-shakle-ford Jun 18 '26
Theres an auction sight that frequently has auctions. Icollector.com. you can even have them mailed to you ao you're able to bid anywhere in canada.
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u/Curious_Joe2020 14d ago
You won't find much inventory in Canada. Use IRUNGUNS, buy from their US store and then they import for you and ship in Canada to and from their Canadian warehouse.
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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '26
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