r/canadaguns • u/PhillipJK • Jul 18 '26

Application / Regulation advice Alberta Handguns Exemption?

Hey all,

I see all the posts about the exempted handguns and was wondering if anyone knew about the process specific to Alberta? I know BC is easy to do but how does one go about east of the Rockies?

Thanks :)

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6

u/Think_Lengthiness686 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

I’m more than happy to see someone challenging me on this, but I think the only way is to go thru the SFC route.
People in BC can apply via BCTSA to bypass the chicken egg paradox, last time I checked we don’t have such provincial entity in AB.

9

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Jul 19 '26

The Alberta Handgun Association can grant letters, but they don't seem to be overly inclined to do so yet.

They want to see you competing at their matches to grant a letter, but they hold so few per year that's it's difficult especially if you live outside of the Calgary area.

3

u/Think_Lengthiness686 Jul 19 '26

Thx for letting me know, I didn’t know about them. But yeah it’s still gonna be a bit awkward for me to find a handgun to compete.

9

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Jul 19 '26

10m airgun doesn't require a pal.

At SPFGA there should be some 25m ISSF matches later this summer (working on the logistics now). For those there would be some loaner guns available.

5

u/PhillipJK Jul 19 '26

Fantastic! I'm a member of SPFGA and definitely have an interest. Never shot a match though so training for anything would be tricky.

5

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Jul 19 '26

It will be easy, don't worry.

Do you own a semi-auto 22? There's a Thursday night fun shoot every week from 6 to 8. We alternate between steel challenge and some sort of action shooting. It's free for members. This is a great way to get into shooting matches.

1

u/PhillipJK Jul 19 '26

That’s very good to know. Out of all the guns I own, an SA .22 is not one of them. Will definitely have to pick one up then. Really appreciate it!

2

u/Think_Lengthiness686 Jul 19 '26

That’s great info, thank you sir!

1

u/FTW-gf Jul 19 '26

Can you shoot airgun to show training and get exemption for .22lr pistol?

2

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Jul 19 '26

That's what the Alberta Handgun Association told me. You'd need to attend some of their airgun events and then you can get a letter.

1

u/Content_Sky_2676 Jul 19 '26

Would be cool if they did a mail-in shoot for people who live too far to compete in person. Could do airgun or handgun at their local ranges.

3

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Jul 19 '26

Yeah, that would be nice.

Personally I'd just issue a letter to anyone who has a rpal and asks.

1

u/MongooseLeader Jul 21 '26

Know anyone running a 25M in Calgary area with loaners during the rest of this year? It seems like this is quite a process here.