r/canadaguns • u/mjskopun • May 20 '26

Buy recommendations New to gun ownership

I thought Canada was safe, then I got home invaded. Still dealing with the PTSD but in the meantime, looking at gun ownership. Want to do it correctly, any tips about how to get one?

Also, (this is for the experts) based on the legal list of guns (hand guns for now) what is the best quality gun that -

  • doesn't require tons of maintenance
  • is Quality (not cheap crap)
  • Doesn't lose it's aim after some use

Thanks for the feedback.

Noob

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u/Relevant_Diver_3228 May 20 '26

first you cant use a firearm for self defense legally in Canada

second you cannot buy a handgun in Canada because they have been frozen since 2022

third in order to get a firearm in Canada you need to pass a PAL course and then get approved by the RCMP which takes time but will probably take more time because you have PTSD

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u/LordRevan1996 May 20 '26

1st point isn’t 100% true. You can’t possess anything, including firearms, for the specific purpose of self defence. So this makes what OP is asking for illegal. BUT firearms possessed for other legal reasons can technically be used for self defence as long as its use is a “proportional response” to the threat. You will be charged either way to determine if your response was proportional.

Obligatory NOT a lawyer, so take this with a grain of salt.

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u/Relevant_Diver_3228 May 20 '26

yes you are right

I was just saying that because you will have to go through court for a long time and they probably will end up giving you time but idk

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u/LordRevan1996 May 20 '26

Fair. I’ve heard of cases where people do come out on top, but that’s after tons of stress and legal fees. There’s also no duty to retreat from your home in defensive situations, but again the proportional response bit makes it convoluted.