r/canadaguns • u/[deleted] • Jul 22 '26
Misc How to acquire handguns anywhere in Canada
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 Jul 22 '26
Pretty detailed and great write up! Though I will say, here in BC I don’t have to provide a letter annually to the CFO. It was a one and done transaction. BC also for the most part is dishing out exemptions for a variety of .22s, including revolvers, not just Olympic level ones like Pardini’s or GSP’s
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u/Flaky_Process_3780 Jul 22 '26
A word of warning CFO and provincial governments change - As per the law a CFO could ask for a letter every year
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u/Curious_Joe2020 Jul 22 '26
Which won't hold up in court. They can't untransfer and seize something after the fact once licensed and acquired. What about all the boomers who had handguns are they providing yearly letters and doing checkins too? No.
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u/Flaky_Process_3780 Jul 23 '26
You are absolutely correct but what will happen is that loop hole will be harder and harder for others to use as people would be taking advantage - and the federations will probably unfortunately have to make their rules for exemption even more strict -
I just say this if you are trying to obtain this way you should at least care about the sport and want to participate in it to not hurt future athlete later
It is just my personal two cents
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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears Jul 23 '26
I wouldn’t go as far as to call it a loophole, since it’s meant to give shooters an entry to participate in the sport? But I do agree with this.
Exemption process was relatively obscure less than a year ago. Now, with popularity increasing, I feel hopeful/excited but simultaneously weary that the process will become further standardized and strict
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u/Flaky_Process_3780 Jul 23 '26
Hey yea I agree lack of a better word for loop hole-
I have acquired and used the exemption and participate in the sport and matches every 8 weeks - I just hope others do the same so that promising young athletes don't have a harder time.
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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears Jul 24 '26
Exactly my plan as well! Already stockpiling .22lr match ammo for our bullseye league at my club and hope to start competing this season
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u/conanap Jul 24 '26
I’m not sure it won’t hold up in court - this wasn’t in an OIC, it was in a parliament passed bill. As far as our courts seem to be concerned, gun control is entirely within the right of the government, however they see fit, as long as it’s passed in parliament.
They also have record of exactly which serials were transferred with the exemptions, so it’s not hard for them to enforce only on those handguns.
It’s not that hard to keep the exemption anyways, just compete once or twice a year. Not saying it should be this way, but just saying that what we want is very different from what the reality is.
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u/Curious_Joe2020 Jul 27 '26
The exemption is for training not competing. It's one of not all of them. Precisely because the exemption is codified in legislation is cannot be arbitrarily taken away once you already possess using it. They can only prevent future transfers if the legislation is changed. Quite the opposite they absolutely cannot arbitrarily enforce only certain serial numbers. They would have to ban and seize ALL handguns federally not by province. Do you understand why it will never happen? The exemption is only for the transfer. Once you have it you don't need to use the exemption again unless you are transferring yet again as in buying a new one. Why in the world would they waste their time and energy trying to seize some 22LR plinkers where there are boomers out there with thousands of 9mm and 45ACP without any restrictions. The purpose is always public safety for enforcement.
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 Jul 22 '26
In which case I’d contact BCTSA who would be ready for it to get continual letters. That said, this system has been in place here since early 2023, and is outlined on BCTSA’s website as BC’s compromise with the CFO for handgun exemptions. While you’re right, a new CFO may enter the scene and shake the rules up, I don’t see that happening in the close future
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Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 Jul 23 '26
Although we’ve talked since this comment in DM’s, I’ll say here as well that I’m glad my post inspired similar content!
I read the “annually lettered” part about a year ago too. However, since doing my first transfer (and now onto my second), I’ve only needed to provide to the CFO the basic signed document from BCTSA once, with no requirement for a follow up in the future. I basically plan on filing for exemptions in the next year anyways to have a few competition pistols on hand, since I knew someone that transferred only one pistol before the ban, and regrets not transferring two since his kicked the bucket and he can’t get a replacement
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u/AdeptArt Jul 23 '26
If you don't mind sharing, I'm a little curious how a pistol can kick the bucket in a way that can't be repaired in just 3 years (assuming he got it around when C21 came into force). As long as it wasn't lost in a fire or somehow completely destroyed you should be able to rebuild from the frame, right?
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 Jul 23 '26
Sorry I should’ve been more specific, I see where I worded it wonky. He’s had the pistol a few years, bought a Taurus magnum, but it was still the only pistol he bought before the bans. For some reason or another (my guess is mistimed having seen similar problems), the forcing cone cracked, rendering it unsafe to fire. Here in this part of BC, there’s not a single gunsmith that works on pistols so he’s SOL at this time.
PS: although this doesn’t sound like a good endorsement for Taurus, I actually personally don’t mind their products, and have actually filed for a Taurus .22/.22WMR as my next exemption. He could’ve just got a lemon, as like Turkish shotguns, Taurus seems to be a gamble
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u/Curious_Joe2020 Jul 22 '26
Exactly and the reason is because the exemption letter is only for the registration and transfer for legislation purposes. The RPAL is for the possession and once legally registered, transferred and owned it's the RPAL which maintains the possession for license purposes. Remember boomers have lots of handguns and no one is asking them every year what they are doing or to provide letters.
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u/mwmwmwmwmmdw Jul 23 '26
yea i think this sub forgets sometimes there is 1.1 million handguns registered in private hands and most of those people still own and use them since 2022. i think the subs more active users tend to be newer pal holders
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u/Curious_Joe2020 Jul 22 '26
British Columbia — BCTSA:
1. Email form request intent to train/practice,
2. Get Exemption Letter 1 week later,
3. Order Handgun,
4. Send Exemption letter via email when requested by CFO/RCMP,
5. Receive handgun in the mail.
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u/Barbarian_818 Jul 22 '26
I suppose technically the other way would be to be issued an authorization to carry. But it's my understanding that the Firearms Program is cutting back hard on the wilderness carry permits.
And if course, it continues to refuse to issue self defence carry permits at all.
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u/number75 Jul 22 '26
Step 10 seems to vary province to province, based on how busy the CFO of that province is and their own internal policies. It seems to take about 10 business days to process and issue a transfer for a handgun in BC, which is what I experienced. However, this may change as people become more aware of the ways to get an exemption.
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u/Elbro_16 Jul 22 '26
I had a private sale that took 4 days, and my other transfer from irunguns is at two weeks and still waiting
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u/NSH-93 Jul 22 '26
Join the SFC means just pay the annual fee on their website or something else needs to be done?
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u/SuperSidney376 Jul 24 '26
This is amazing, it should be pinned to the main subreddit for all to see. Great info
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u/Reelair Jul 22 '26
Next topic: How To Close A Loophole.
Social media ruins everything.....
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
This is hardly a loop hole, especially in provinces where you need to train before acquiring a handgun, it's pretty much a catch-22.
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Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 Jul 22 '26
It’s a deliberate policy choice, not something slipped past anyone.
Right, lawmakers can say "Olympians can acquire handguns to train if they really want to," but the reality is that it's just lip service.
The process is extremely difficult for new shooters and effectively locks out new blood from ISSF target shooting.
At least BC is sensible enough to allow people to acquire a training gun - other provinces, not so much.
Not to mention these rules have killed off non-Olympic handgun sports like IPSC, IDPA, and others - leaving the community mostly made up of the same aging shooters.
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Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/External_Big_2982 Jul 22 '26
Air pistol loophole? You can't end there. Do tell
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Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/edyuster Jul 22 '26
The requirement was to train in an ISSF handgun discipline. Air pistol is considered a handgun discipline.
Live fire doesn't mean you need to shoot ammunition with gun powder. Air pistols firing pellets is still considered live fire.
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Jul 22 '26 edited 13d ago
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Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/Vintage_Pieces_10 Jul 22 '26
I made a post of my own about acquiring my first exempted handgun the other day, and DM’d anybody who wished for a write up, so I agree that information shouldn’t be gatekept. However, PolySeSouvient did say a year or two ago “we will work to close the Olympic Handgun Loophole,” so IT IS on their radar of policy to push, even if it’s a slow burn right now
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u/swift_gilford Jul 22 '26
Not a loophole. It's a carved-out exemption written into law, not a gap someone found.
That said the current admin will see this and interpret and spin it as a loophole. They are already doing this with the trapper exemptions.
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u/Reelair Jul 22 '26
Crown land is for everyone to enjoy, it's written somewhere, I'm sure.
That didn't stop them from putting up a gate and locking me out of the land I've been exploring, paddling, ATV'ing, hunting, fishing and hiking on for over 30 years due to social media advertising the area. Within 2 years it was closed off to anyone who can't afford land behind the gate.
Sometimes it's best to let things stay quiet. IYKYK as the cool kids say.
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u/One_Salary_9068 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
This Will only last if .... Its still Olympic... The Day its not... Its over... Bye bye... Finito... A jamais...So hurry up 🤌🏼
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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears Jul 23 '26
One thing that would be interesting to hear from others would be what pistols “meet ISSF pistol requirements” and how the SFC vs. BCTSA would interpret this.
I’ve read the 2026 regulations and technically a glock 44 fits the requirements (fits within “the box” dimensions, doesn’t fall below minimum trigger weight, does not exceed weight limits, and does not violate their new grip requirements).
Really, I’d be interested to know if they need your ideal model to meet requirements (not be illegal) or be reasonably suitable? A glock 44 and Ruger mark 4 both meet ISSF standards, but one is far more suitable for ISSF disciplines.
Granted I’m sure they just want shooters in the sport - meaning they probably don’t care whether you’re looking to get into the sport with a tx22 (>$1k when importing) or a Pardini sp ($6k) since costs can be high for fancy dedicated target pistols.
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Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears Jul 24 '26
Yes this was my understanding as well! And it should be that way, since dedicated target pistols can be so expensive and hard to acquire.
The only thing I was weary of was what the SFC specifies in the letter itself (since I’m only in the process and not through it) and how the CFOs outside of BC/AB go about approving the registrations/transfers given approvals for these things can be up to individual discretion. That said, your write up and many people’s experiences suggest the process is relatively smooth
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u/Melerann Jul 26 '26
Does anyone who already had a handgun before the crackdown have any experience with this? I assume that it shouldn't make a difference right?
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Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/Melerann Jul 26 '26
Hmmm so practicing with a 9mm won't help for qualifying?
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u/lihaoming1234567 Jul 30 '26
Thanks a lot for sharing! Can I import/buy any hand gun as long as it's .22?
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u/Curious_Joe2020 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
By annually providing an exemption letter? Is this really true? I call BS on that. The letter is to purchase and transfer and import. Who is going to follow up after annually after you already have several guns and what are they going to do? The RPAL is what maintains the license to possess. The letter is for acquisition transfer registration. So if you have 3 guns are you saying you have to provide 3 letters each year or what? They send the RCMP to collect 3 guns that were legally acquired and licensed, I don't think so. Meanwhile boomers keep whatever they had forever no questions asked? I don't think so.
What do you mean by "must meet ISSF/Olympic pistol standards?". Does a Glock or 1911 or FN502 meet those standards?
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u/TheRealTwooni Jul 22 '26
Thanks, ChatGPT!
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Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/PM_me_ur_TT-33 Jul 23 '26
Human intellect is insufficient to apply semantic formatting and not botch the markdown into a classic Giant Wall oF Text, and nobody would ever direct their CoTwin to write in such an organic style or omit the emoji-as-bullets, so 'fess up. /s
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u/Awkward_Cheetah7519 Jul 22 '26
Will this work for a 357 magnum
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Jul 22 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
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u/Top-Researcher-8937 Jul 23 '26
Iam hearing people are getting the exemptions for 22lr then converting it into 9mm is that now the case?
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