r/canadaguns • u/FaWSeT • Jun 04 '26
Application / Regulation advice Guns in the Will
So I’ve recently received my PAL and my aunt has told me she’d like my to have my grandfather’s old Winchester 1894. What’s the process for this? Is it as simple as just going to pick it up, what with the registry not existing anymore? That’s what she seems to think but I feel like there’s gotta be some kind of catch.
Any help would be appreciated.
55
u/outline8668 Jun 04 '26
Just go get the gun and be done with it. Unless you're in Quebec and the gun is registered.
21
u/Dunhamburg Jun 05 '26
In which case you can't just go get the gun and be done with it, but you should instead go ramasser le gun pis that's it.
9
u/imjonjoncanada Jun 05 '26
I doubt an 1894 rifle was ever registered. But technically you’re right.
31
u/Last_Statistician860 Jun 04 '26
I would just go pick it up...
There isnt a registry and he could have just given it to you.
Im sure there is a more compliant way to do it but look at it this way an unlicensed person is currently in possession of a firearm (sure its technically possessed by the estate) you having it as a licensed and responsible person isnt going to get you arrested.
9
u/SirKickBan Jun 04 '26
There's actually legislation about this, the executor temporarily has the same legal rights the deceased did in relation to their firearm.
8
u/RcNorth al Jun 04 '26
The aunt may have her PAL.
2
u/Last_Statistician860 Jun 04 '26
True, just dealing with a similar situation where the executor didn't have their PAL.
24
u/flossingomega Jun 04 '26
You should know this if you just received your PAL. It was definitely covered. Just go pick it up. You’re good.
10
u/NemrahG Jun 04 '26
You can just pick it up, all you need is a license and a proper place to store it.
2
u/imjonjoncanada Jun 05 '26
Not even a proper place. Just a trigger lock and ammo stored separately. You can drive around with it on a gun rack in the window of your truck. Ammo unavailable and trigger locked, you’re fine
5
u/Johnny-Unitas Jun 04 '26
Just go pick up up. You have your PAL and it's not registered in any way.
3
u/CrudeTrucker Jun 04 '26
Just go get it follow proper transportation laws for when the fire arm is out of house and good to go
2
u/imjonjoncanada Jun 05 '26
Even under this regime, unrestricted firearms can be transported in plain sight. Just need a trigger lock and ammo stored separately
1
2
u/LurkerGarry Jun 04 '26
Just go get it up. Unless you’re picking up a prohibited or restricted firearm you’re good to go. In this case it’s non-restricted so you’re okay!
2
2
2
1
u/imjonjoncanada Jun 05 '26
Honestly, go pick it up. There are rules for some antique firearms (manufactured before 1898 I think?). But this being Chinada, there are STILL rules. Not sure for firearms meeting standards for prohib (short barrelled pistols etc) and I think there’s a rule that states that if the ammo isn’t commercially manufactured anymore it’s fine…but in your case, it’s non-restricted, and only one, so I think you’re fine. You used to be able to will an entire collection, but years ago the government changed it to ONE. Imagine your grandfather tries to will you 300 rare firearms worth $500,000 and you can only accept ONE?!?! What a time to be alive.
2
u/thingk89 Jun 07 '26
That is insane. One is pretty much the same as zero.
I have actually never met a firearm owner who had only one firearm before.
The obvious end goal is total abolition of firearm ownership in Canada.
1
1
u/Reelair Jun 05 '26
To make your aunt happy, you could go through the PAL verification process. It's what's required when selling guns privately.
The seller gets your PAL # and date of birth. They send it to RCMP for verification. You both get a record of the verification.
1
u/CdnFireAlarmTech Jun 06 '26
I’m in Ontario, similar situation. I called the OPP they said just go and get it. As long as it’s not on a banned list or a registered gun you’re good to go.
-6
u/DoYouGetSarcasm Jun 04 '26
The person giving the gun is required to call or email in to check your pal and generate s reference number. The giver will have to give their pal info on this call too
If they are the executor of the will and it's still open they should have filled out the forms for guns in a will and then they can proceed without issue.
If the giver is in possession and doesn't have a pal, and isn't the executor of the still open will then they are breaking the law to have it and i would recommend they don't contact the authorities to let them know their breaking the law.
Once they have delt with the above you just take possession. There's no other paperwork for that non restricted (unless you're in qc).
-8
Jun 04 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Beers_n_Deeres Jun 04 '26
The legal process is to go and pick it up. There’s no registry or transfer paperwork.
113
u/Tuxedo_Maskk Jun 04 '26
Just go pick it up.