r/canadaguns • u/Neat_Structure1065 • Apr 13 '26

Application / Regulation advice Will the handgun freeze ever go away?

I mean, we need pistols for hunting and self-defence if a bear is running at you and is near.

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u/Glittering_Eye_6342 Apr 13 '26

So even before the liberal ban on handguns, they were restricted weapons so unfortunately we aren’t even allowed to carry them for any kind of self defence purposes even while hunting in the woods. Hopefully they change this dumb rule as it’s not legal purchased firearms that have any bearing on criminal activity.

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u/Xaxxus Apr 13 '26

You can if you work in the wilderness. You can apply for an ATC.

Obviously this doesn’t apply to someone living in Toronto and going hunting for the weekend.

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u/Glittering_Eye_6342 Apr 13 '26

I’ve heard of something like this before but I also heard it’s not an easy permit to obtain

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u/MrWrock Apr 14 '26

Someone (probably the only person in Canada to do it this year) posted recently about having achieved it themselves, so if you can truly justify the need it is possible. If you just need the comfort of a firearm for bear defense, then you can carry a shotgun, and it most likely is going to be more effective than a handgun. 

I would love to own a handgun for the fun of shooting it and the marvel of its mechanical complexity. I think gas blowback pellet pistols might scratch that itch, but I have plenty other things to burn money on (like more ammo for the things I CAN shoot)