r/canadaguns • u/[deleted] • May 01 '26
Application / Regulation advice Pistol Exemption Process
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u/starw24-ps4 May 01 '26
Step 11: Realize itās for 22LR only, thereās only a handful of pistols being sold in that category currently (none of which are modern / fun / tactical) and since youāre competing with all the other exemptions the price is 3x what it should be. Step 12: Pain
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May 15 '26
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u/starw24-ps4 May 15 '26
So you need a full sized handgun in 22ā¦ you pay IRG in USD prices, they have an exemption processing fee of $100, the taxes / shipping on the import, and you need to wait 1-2 months depending on the day of the month you order. Overall looking at $1k+ for a 22. And this doesnāt include the price or waiting time to get the exemption in the first place.
Might as well save the time and money. Grab a BB gun for home, rent a 9mm at the range. Cheers
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u/ThePoeticJester May 01 '26
Or better yet, fuck this shit government and their retardation. Let us go back to enjoying our sport and hobby without their meddling and shouting at us from the graves of their victims.
The RCMP and liberal government kept eyes on these shooters, ignore people's reports about them, and cultivate social and economic divide then capitalize on the deaths.
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u/lee--carvallo May 02 '26
I mean I can get a baby glock from the guy behind London Drugs with precisely none of this headache. Worst case is that I'm out on bail after 3 hours in city cells.
Yes this is sarcasm
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May 01 '26
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u/KyllikkiSkjeggestad May 01 '26
Thereās a fair few businesses with online stores still selling I believe
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u/AssMilkerTv May 02 '26
A 22 pistol is really that rare? I thought most big companies like Glock or Sigg have a 22 variant of their regular handguns.
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u/IPSC_Canuck May 02 '26
Why doesnāt the exemption apply to IPSC or PPC?
Like, Iām very glad that people are still getting to do this, but if thereās an exemption for Olympic shooting there really should be for other world recognized disciplines.
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u/FireDragonMonkey May 02 '26
Because for people who are completely unfamiliar with guns, the only shooting sports they know are Olympic ones they see on TV. And those guns often look futuristic and so unlike the "scary" ones they see on crime dramas and police drug busts on the news. So the Liberal government can say "we still allow them for use for Olympic athletes", but meanwhile ban all other sport disciplines.Ā
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u/Water-Foul May 02 '26
10 step process for acquiring what is essentially a bb gun. I hate this. I hate living like this. I hate how happy the average Canadian is with being treated like a criminal.
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u/daiimer May 01 '26
We've also learned recently that the RCMP/cfo can review your competition scores year over year. If you decide to stop competing they can revoke your exemption status and demand you relinquish any handgun you've obtained with it.
Food for thought
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u/conanap May 02 '26
Where did you read this? They canāt asked us to relinquish any handguns we already have - the exemption is to obtain a pistol, not to process a pistol; thatās what your R PAL is for. Otherwise, weād all be handing back our 9mm and 45s already. Exemptions also expire after 1 year or if youāve exceed 3 additional pistols on top of the exemption anyways, so if you canāt provide proof that youāre still practicing or competing, you just canāt get a new exemption letter to get more pistols.
Seriously not sure where you heard this from or how the logic works.
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u/_Friendly_Fire_ My 4y/o brother is smarter than Trudeau. May 01 '26
How good at target shooting do you have to be to get the exemption? Is it only for certain calibers/types of pistols? Can you only buy one gun with the exemption? Thanks
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u/Spydude84 May 01 '26
Only for .22lr. You can miss every target, as long as you show up and participate. Can only buy one, you'll need a new letter to get another, which is doable under reasonable contexts.
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u/Warm-Olive-9146 May 01 '26
From what I've heard, you're limited to a specific type of handgun used in competition. So you'll probably only be able to buy a small .22; you won't be able to buy a Glock or a CZ, for example. But I could be wrong.
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u/daiimer May 01 '26
You don't have to be good at it but in the requirements you must provide proof you're shooting in a certified league. In Ontario I think this is exclusively the OIHL. I started last September and submitted my scores in March and obtained an exemption.
From what I've heard you need to submit a seasons worth of scores to be eligible.
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u/conanap May 02 '26
You really only need a few practices and at least 1 SFC recognized competition. Lynn memorial is coming up in May, although I think thatās already full. Thereās some competition in late august / September, and then provincials I think in October.
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u/IAMURBUNKLE May 02 '26
How can you practice and do a match without a pistol? Can you get the exemption letter before you actually start competing?Ā
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u/itsmeAG32 May 01 '26
If it was for a 45 or 9mm then ya Iād do it but for a 22 might aswell by a BB gun
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u/Busy_Meringue_9247 May 01 '26
anyone around Ottawa tried this?
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u/Hisoka365 May 01 '26
Yup, a couple buddies did this and I'm in the last stages of waiting for the approval for mine.
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u/Busy_Meringue_9247 May 01 '26
which range? or club? please share details, over dm if you feel more comfortable.
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u/Hisoka365 May 02 '26
The Arnprior & District Rifle and Revolver Association hosts an ISSF standard and sport pistol competition every month.theybare taking May off and resuming in June. It's usually a weekend so Saturday and Sunday.
If you email the club (Ed Stevens) you can ask to borrow a handgun. There's only enough space for 6 shooters at a time so space fills up quick.
I competed there once and asked SFC for an exemption letter. Provided them my score and was able to get it and I started the transfer for a couple pistols already and just waiting for it to go through.
The CFP and CFO office did call me to follow up and said it's being scrutinized more and it used to take a week to get approved but now it's 2-3 weeks.
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u/Busy_Meringue_9247 May 03 '26
thank you
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u/Hisoka365 May 04 '26
Np hope to see you there!
I just called the CFP office and all three of the pistols I applied for got approved.
It's a good day for sport shooters lol, just waiting for the ATT to bring these babies home
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u/shiddedandfarded69 May 01 '26
There's no recognized shooting club in Ottawa unfortunately. There's a few on the Quebec side but that probably complicates things especially if you don't speak french. You're probably pounding the 401 quite a bit to follow this process.
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u/Hisoka365 May 02 '26
You are right. We are trying to get sanctioned events at the RA Gun Club soon but we need to fix / setup the turning targets.
Hopefully we can get a couple events running before summer ends.
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u/sho-nut May 25 '26 edited 3d ago
We at Cornwall Handgun Club have regular sanctioned matches that are open to non-members. Here's the next one -
https://cornwallhandgunclub.ca/event-6706550Ā https://cornwallhandgunclub.ca/event-6749273 Thanks to the OP for the flowchart inspiration.
Now here's the important part - our members figured out that youdon't need to compete in handgun matchesto get enough bullseye experience to get a handgun exemption letter - competing/practicing rifle bullseye is fine and accepted by the SFC. So we are holding monthly rifle bullseye matches because they are more accessible (anyone with a PAL can buy a .22LR rifle if they don't already own one or have one in the family) and our members use these for the required experience to get a handgun exemption letter and purchase a .22LR handgun.[Edit: Sadly the SFC contacted us and said it must be pistol only. Stay tuned for more edits and the next CHC PISTOL event.]1
u/thecoolernameistaken 16d ago
Hey man Iām pretty close to Cornwall but Iām still confused by the process. Iām dedicated to getting a handgun 100% could I dm you for more details about the exemption?
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May 01 '26
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u/TarkovSundays May 02 '26
Or you just pay money and buy one off the black market. Can get nice compact pistols without a worry in the world. The government doesnāt care about the criminals having them only youš«µš»
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u/Sudden-Tone3983 May 03 '26
There's about to be A LOT of Olympians - at least Canada can win at something for once.
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u/dgod40 May 01 '26
I will never participate in a gun registration program moving forward. Jumping through these governmental hoops just to have them clap back at you just buns. All the people stuck in the "restricted" limbo have such a hard situation coming up in October. Also since 100s of thousands of people will become criminals on Oct 30, might as well go full Monty.
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u/CheesecakeEasy8952 May 02 '26
https://www.sigsauer.com/p226-xfive.html Friend just got this in 9mm told them it was for recoil management training! Not my pick but itās his now.
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u/mwmwmwmwmmdw May 01 '26
once you own it though do you then own it for "life" like other pre 2022 handgun owners?
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u/conanap May 02 '26
The other person is incorrect; so long as your RPAL is current, you can legally own the pistol.
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 May 02 '26
No, you have to provide proof of ongoing participation in the discipline to keep it. Itās been said before that CFOās will revoke the exemption if you donāt use the pistol to compete anymore
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u/conanap May 02 '26
This is incorrect. After you have the pistol you have the pistol. The exemption is only for the transfer of handguns; your RPAL is what gives you legality to own it.
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u/sho-nut 3d ago
I agree in principal, but one must consider why they felt it was necessary to add 'annually' to the legislation? https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.6/section-97.1.html?wbdisable=true#:~:text=annually%20provides%20a%20letter
This may shed more light (I'm not saying it is law, but rather some background to why the 'annually' got added to the legislation when it wasn't there before): https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/trnsprnc/brfng-mtrls/prlmntry-bndrs/20250402/53-en.aspx#:~:text=handguns%20be%20surrendered
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u/PinkLincoln00 May 02 '26
How does this affect new trappers? As far as I knew they were the only āciviliansā allowed to carry a handgun on the trap line with a special permit.
Now they canāt own them at all?
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u/conanap May 02 '26
If they get an ATC, theyāll get an exemption to acquire. Someone else posted here when they were looking for a 10mm, but those exemptions are calibre specific, whereas this is model specific. Ie, you should find the gun you want before applying for an exemption.
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u/waitwhatnothing May 03 '26
For trapping specifically the exemption is for a handgun that will be used to dispatch trapped animals, which I believe is limited to .22 and maybe 9mm.Ā
Thereās another exemption for wilderness protection that can apply to trappers and other folks working in the wilderness. This would be for a handguns/calibers suitable for defense against bears like 10mm or .44 mag.Ā
I believe you apply for the ATC first and when thatās approved you can get the exemption from the CFO that allows you acquire a handgun.Ā
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u/IGnuGnat May 02 '26
I think I've heard of people recently applying successfully for a handgun permit for wilderness work. It has to be a job where you basically work in very remote areas. Like certain mining related jobs, or wilderness guides.
I don't know the details about the application process anymore though
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u/MBGLK May 09 '26
Just received mine on Friday. In Alberta AMA
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u/Desperate_Finance_91 May 13 '26
Hey, how long did the transfer take? And after after the transfer do I have to wait for the registration to take it to the range?
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u/MBGLK May 13 '26
Havenāt done the transfer yet. Just ordered the pistol on Friday.
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u/Desperate_Finance_91 May 13 '26
are you importing it? or the seller didn't initiate the transfer yet?
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u/OvertPlatypus May 18 '26
What range, club and pistol? Where did you get membership through SFC or somewhere else like Alberta handgun association?
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u/MBGLK May 18 '26
CHAS, SFC, Ruger Mark 4 22/45. The Alberta handgun association was useless and refused to even help me navigate the process.
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u/OvertPlatypus May 18 '26
Thank you, disappointed in the AHA considering the circumstances. I wonder if ISSF could get started at CHAS, they'd love to get more pistols out thereĀ
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 May 01 '26
I wonder what āproof of participationā entails
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May 01 '26
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 May 02 '26
If I may ask, is there a minimum amount of matches you must compete in to retain the exemption? And do you know are you able to just submit your scores remotely (I live on an island and the likelihood of having a coach or registered match here is slim. But when I competed in Olympic archery, we just submitted our scores electronically and got placed, so Iām curious if thatās available in this circumstance)
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u/conanap May 02 '26
For Ontario, I sent SFC my practice scores, my competition scores, and a link to the scores posted of my last attended competition.
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u/External_Big_2982 May 02 '26
How long did you have to be involved with the league or how many competitions did you have to participate for the exemption letter ? Did you borrow someone elseās handgun to compete in those competitions?
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u/conanap May 02 '26
A few practices and at least 1 SFC recognized competition after you have registered with SFC.
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u/FedInformant May 02 '26
It just goes to show how many hoops we are willing to go through to be vetted and trusted to own firearms and yet they still wont let us. Like we are literally willing to do whatever.
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May 02 '26
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u/IGnuGnat May 02 '26
It is illegal to purchase firearms for the purpose of self defense in Canada, citizen.
Leave milk and cookies with your keys and wallet by the door
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u/CanadianMultigun May 02 '26
When you say join a recognised shooting club what do you mean? Recognised by who? Is literally any legal gun club acceptable?
What is needed to train and compete in Olympic handgun discipline? Can I download the rule book and as a director at my gun club organise and conduct training sessions?
Are there any limitations on make, model etc?
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u/skelecorn666 May 02 '26
What happened with trappers anyway? They still have an exemption?
I can get a trappers' licence lickity split where I'm from.
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u/Critical_Rule6663 May 06 '26
If this actually works, I bet weāll see a sudden jump in the number of competitive pistol shooters at future Olympic Games.
Iām gonna look into it. Competition shooting sounds fun!
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u/Marauder934 May 01 '26
I think you could buy a pistol with a .22 kit installed and then switch it back to 9mm ?
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u/XenonDreams May 02 '26
Could you get a .22 Glock, and then buy a new barrel etc. to make it 9mm?
Since the frame is the serialized part, but I donāt know if the .22 frames are compatible with 9mm slides (I am by no means an expert, hopefully that made sense to someone)
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u/conanap May 02 '26
If the Glock is manufactured and sold in 22, yes.
HOWEVER, Glocks are not generally used in the recognized disciplines (bullseye, Olympic rapid), and donāt have adjustable sights from factory, so Iām not very confident youāll be approved for exemption.
You can try it though, itās really up to the CFO.
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u/Living-Bus-9619 May 02 '26
What website or physical store I can buy from if I get the exemption letter?
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u/AndreiHoo May 02 '26
You meant to tell me the transfer time is still 2 weeks? They donāt have anything left to transfer?? I swear I got faster approval time before pistols are banned
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u/Daedalus-N7 May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26
What exactly is Olympic handgun discipline? I've honestly never heard of any of my local clubs holding that or would any IPSC type discipline work
I basically got all the pistols I wanted to at the time before the freeze except for a 22/45 mk4 lite. And this looks like the exact way to be able to get one.
Would still love to get a staccato XC though
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u/msdtyu May 06 '26
Would they accept air pistol scores as proof in the event of not having pistol access? How many matches do they need proof of?
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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears May 06 '26
Does anyone know anything about limitations in the number of firearms you can buy with an exemption? Is it one purchase per granted exemption (restricted tit hat calibre)? Or do you then have the ability to pick up multiple .22 handguns if you received the exemption?
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u/daiimer May 07 '26
There are three possible per letter. Ideally you need to find some available for sale then get a letter for them. My last letter had 2 on it but there are some in our club that asked for and recieved three.
The current administration at the sfc seems to be fairly generous when it comes to giving them out but I expect that will change
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u/InValensName May 07 '26
There are over 30 million of you, suppose they passed a law and canadians finally stopped begging to obey it?
What would happen if you all actually just said "no".
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u/Tk-Lea May 28 '26
is anyone able to assist me with understanding the process? curious about giving it a try and with my current clubs/situation
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u/GlitteringTap1463 May 31 '26
Can you own more than one pistol with this or are you limited to only one.
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May 01 '26
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May 01 '26
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May 01 '26
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u/MrWrock May 01 '26
Saw that post and looked it up myself. The bctsa letter is step 7 above, they glossed over the last few
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u/RiskClassic889 May 01 '26
I Think a new offensive with PM Carney must be done like asking meeting with him (ccfr etc). The energy is mostly about gun grab but I donāt see gun lobby going back to the new PM since Trudeau is going out with a girl who was born in the second amendment country. I donāt see Trudeau asking to ban hand gun in US.
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u/BrotherLefthand May 01 '26
What they forget to mention is that the exemption is only for .22 pistols and the market for .22 pistols is very slim and overpriced.