Ottawa Area - Olympic Exemption Opportunity – ADRRA Handgun Competition June 20

[u/Hisoka365]

EDIT: Important clarification: this is not a “show up and get an exemption letter” event.

Please do not spam Ed with general exemption/process questions. If you are new to ISSF, the better first step is to join a club that actively shoots ISSF Sport Pistol and/or Standard Pistol, learn the rules, participate regularly, and work toward the exemption letter properly through competition experience.

Arnprior District Revolver & Rifle Association is hosting handgun matches in Arnprior, and there is still space available for Saturday, June 20. The June 21 date is already full.

For anyone in the Ottawa area who is already interested in or actively working toward ISSF Sport Pistol and/or Standard Pistol, this could be a good opportunity to compete and continue working toward the Olympic exemption pathway.

Also, the exemption pathway being discussed here is for .22LR target pistols only. It is not for larger-calibre handguns, centre-fire pistols, defensive pistols, or general restricted handgun purchases.

The match is being run by Ed, and he only has a limited number of handguns available to lend for the competition, so loaner availability is first come, first served.

To register, go to:

www.targetscores.com and register for the standard and sport pistol events.

BRING CASH FOR THE COMPETITION FEE

Also email Ed directly for details and ask to borrow a hangun:

[arnpriordrra@gmail.com](mailto:arnpriordrra@gmail.com)

Shooters should have a basic understanding of ISSF Sport Pistol and/or ISSF Standard Pistol rules, match structure, commands, safety expectations, and competition etiquette.

When reaching out, you can let Ed know Danny sent you, but please make sure you are contacting him for the actual match and not just asking how to get the exemption.

Additional match dates are tentatively planned for July 25–26 and August 22–23, depending on participation and interest.

No prizes — just a good opportunity to compete, get experience, and work toward the Olympic exemption pathway.

Here's my previous post on what I obtained through the exemption
https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/1t5h8r1/picked_these_up_yesterday_cant_wait_to_try_them/

[u/Hisoka365]

Speaking from my personal experience, it took me one competition to get an exemption, and about a weeks to get my letter. For the transfers it took a little over a week. Started April 21st for the three of the handguns and it was approved on May 1st. I didn't know until I called on Monday May 4th. Arranged for pick up the next day at both places since it had the ATT.

So I'd say it'll be around a months time.

As for continual competition status, I believe you are supposed to but I don't think it's enforced. First off the SFC is who provides your exemption letter. They verify your eligibility. The RCMP and CFO is who approves your transfers, provided you have the exemption letter.

So as I'm typing this out I don't think you need to continually compete because the RCMP isn't going to check your competition results or activity.

[u/chillyrabbit → u/Hisoka365]

I'm not sure if you need to compete and use the pistol in olympic competitions.

But under the Firearms Act the CFO is permitted to question people on restricted firearm usage. I touched on it in my restricted firearms range requirements

But not sure how it interacts with the handgun olympic exemptions. But I would recommend or suggest someone keep track of using it as an Olympic pistol.

Restricted License renewal

Now it’s been 5 years after your PAL was issued and you want to renew your license, the CFO is allowed to review your license and ask you if you are still using your restricted firearms for a valid purpose (Firearms act s.67 Renewal).

This should be noted for people who use drop in ranges for target practice, the CFO may never ask but you should be able to show proof that you use your R firearms for target practice or a target shooting competition. Because if you don’t the CFO can revoke a registration certificate, as you need to be using your R firearm for a permitted purpose.

I would suggest match results, receipts or even people who are willing to swear under oath or an affidavit that you used your restricted firearm for a permitted purpose.

67 (1) A chief firearms officer may renew a licence, authorization to carry or authorization to transport in the prescribed manner.

Marginal note:Restricted firearms and pre-December 1, 1998 handguns

(2) On renewing a licence authorizing an individual to possess restricted firearms or handguns referred to in subsection 12(6.1) (pre-December 1, 1998 handguns), a chief firearms officer shall decide whether any of those firearms or handguns that the individual possesses are being used for a purpose described in section 28.

Registrar

(3) A chief firearms officer who decides that any restricted firearms or any handguns referred to in subsection 12(6.1) (pre-December 1, 1998 handguns) that are possessed by an individual are not being used for that purpose shall

(a) give notice of that decision in the prescribed form to the individual; and

(b) inform the Registrar of that decision.

Revocation of registration certificate

71 (1) The Registrar

(a) may revoke a registration certificate for a prohibited firearm or a restricted firearm for any good and sufficient reason; and

(b) shall revoke a registration certificate for a firearm held by an individual where the Registrar is informed by a chief firearms officer under section 67 that the firearm is not being used for a purpose described in section 28.

[u/Hisoka365 → u/chillyrabbit]

Wow great info and write up.

Appreciate your input on this!

[u/chillyrabbit → u/Hisoka365]

It is outdated as i wrote it prior to C-21 and I haven't looked to see the interaction with olympic handgun exemptions.

But i would recommend that a person with a olympic handgun exemption keep track of using it as an Olympic shooting pistol.