r/canadaguns • u/AutoModerator • Aug 03 '26
Recurring FAQ Thread - Post your questions here for PAL/RPAL application, timelines, CFSC/CFSRC, references & requirements, or general new to firearms ownership-type questions
This thread will be used for any Frequently Asked Questions, including PAL/RPAL applications, CFSC/CFRSC requirements, storage/transport, open ended "what gun should I buy first", or other general new to firearms ownership questions. It recurs every 14 days.
We recommend you try the search bar before asking common questions as they are frequently already answered elsewhere.
Most answers to Storage, Display, and Transport questions can be found here Inheriting firearms or dealing with an Estate? Answers here. Do you need to renew your license or check on the status of your license application? Try here.
Do you have questions about the classifications of firearms? More details here.
Are you wondering if a firearm is legal or not? Details here.
Different types of firearms are explained in detail here.
Exporting firearms, ammunition, parts and accessories from the US: most items are controlled under ITAR and you cannot, as an individual, export these items from the USA. Canada does not care in most cases. If you attempt to bring any of these items across the border yourself and you are caught, you will face prison time in the US. If you wish to export items from the USA, use a broker such as IRUNGUNS, Aztech, or Prophet River.
If you took your CFSC and lost the paperwork, you can still apply for your PAL. Both your instructor and the CFP retain copies, you can request a copy by contacting either one. There is no expiration date on the paperwork, you do not have to retake the course. Updated list of scam websites is here.
If you have new scam sites to add, please message the mod team. Be careful: only use reputable sites to purchase things online. It is illegal to manufacture a non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited firearm.
Any posts or comments asking about the legality of making a firearm other than a reproduction antique will be removed. It was not always illegal, which is why you will find old posts regarding this topic. Rest assured, it is illegal now. Do not attempt.
These threads will be stickied for a week, renewing every Monday. Previous threads here.
Take a look, your question may have been answered! If you have any suggestions for this thread, please feel free to ask here, or send the Mods a message. Thank you!
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u/QwertyExe9 Aug 14 '26
I received an exemption letter a couple months ago (BC). I bought a handgun about 2 months ago, and have been waiting for transfer to go through since then.
I just recently received an email from BCSTA claiming they are just the messenger and my exemption letter is being questioned by the RCMP and that I’ll need to reapply for a new exemption with the new rules.
I was under the impression that if you already had a letter you were fine. It’s frustrating since I obtained this exemption letter by following the rules 100%, and now can’t receive the handgun I purchased for at least 2 months while I go through the new process to get a letter.
Are they in the wrong for denying my exemption letter/transfer? Is there any way to obtain my handgun without going through the new exemption process?
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Aug 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/QwertyExe9 Aug 14 '26
First and only handgun. They are questioning it because I got the exemption on the old rules
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 15 '26
I was told last night (Ontario) that the rules are changing and may be retroactive on anyone who got a handgun with an exemption letter.
i.e. they may be requiring a yearly exemption letter
and they are no longer permitting centerfire handguns1
u/MindYourOpSec Aug 14 '26
Oof, that’s brutal. There’s a similar datapoint further down the thread, so now I’m really getting worried.
I also got my letter under the old process and my transfer has been pending for close to a month.I hate living in this communist nanny state where we have to beg the government for a permission slip to exercise our rights.
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u/LankySearch Aug 19 '26
Owning a gun is a privilege not a right in our country. You might not like it but that’s the reality. Don’t like our “communist nanny state”? Feel free to move, nobody is forcing you to be here
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u/conanap Aug 06 '26
- If I want to buy barrel weights and front sight weights for my GSP500 from Europe, can I just go ahead and buy it? Do I need import paperwork or?
- For a P226, I want to buy some barrels, slides and recoil spring from US, do I need import paperwork for this?
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u/CivicRhombus Aug 07 '26
Basically everything gun related is ITAR regulated. Getting it into Canada isn't the problem, it's getting the US to let you take it out of the US. Best to use a company like irunguns to help you out with the export.
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u/DoYouGetSarcasm Aug 07 '26
Interesting, your reply makes it seem like his question was pretty innocuous (like a generic how to follow the law when importing a gun thing), but Reddit banned him for it...
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u/Conanap2 Aug 07 '26
I asked about whether parts needed import paperwork and got banned lol whatever Reddit
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u/conanap Aug 08 '26
I’m back lmao. Appealed the ban and they agreed. Wonder who reported me.
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u/Cre_AK47 Name Prohibited by OIC Aug 08 '26
It was likely Reddit's AI. We've been having this problem for a few weeks now and we're trying to work towards a resolution with the admins. Unfortunately they haven't been playing ball with our questions...
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 09 '26
ITAR regulated
Walther GSP parts would most likely come from Germany
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u/Diligent-Fondant-364 Aug 11 '26
28th day. 1st time checking indv. Webservices online. Statur result says: Application has been processed. “License card will be printed and mailed”. Does it mean it’s been approved?
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u/Elbro_16 Aug 12 '26
Anyone getting pistols or restricted rifles approved from BC CFO? My stuff is taking forever
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u/MindYourOpSec Aug 12 '26
3 weeks into my pistol transfer. It feels like the CFO’s office is dragging their feet on purpose
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u/EliteDuck Aug 13 '26
Same. They asked for my exemption letter, I sent it, they acknowledged receiving it, and it's been radio silence since.
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u/Elbro_16 Aug 13 '26
Have you called them recently?
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u/EliteDuck Aug 13 '26
Nope. Not really in a rush to get it. They need to honour it, unless they're trying to sandbag until legislation gets passed in the fall/winter to nullify the letters.
If I had to guess, they're just flooded with multiple times the normal volume because of the new letters, and it's taking them longer to process everything because of that.
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u/MindYourOpSec Aug 13 '26
I’m afraid that’s exactly what they’re trying to do, since BCTSA said that the Feds aren’t happy with exempt guns being imported from the states.
My plan is to get my CPC MP involved if I don’t hear anything back soon, since there’s no reason restricted transfers should be taking even longer than they were prior to the handgun freeze.
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u/Loud_Cap_4250 Aug 13 '26
They don’t need to honour it they are making people reapply for exemption mid transfer under new criteria and asking for more supporting documents which is training logs/competition log
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u/Elbro_16 Aug 13 '26
I have not heard of making people re apply for exemptions that are already in the transfer process. If you have not started a transfer you will need the new exemptions
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u/EliteDuck Aug 13 '26
They're spreading misinformation or are completely misunderstanding what people have been talking about here regarding the Olympic exemptions.
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u/Elbro_16 Aug 13 '26
That’s what I think too. I also heard the bc cfo is very reasonable. Not sure what the hold up is
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u/EliteDuck Aug 13 '26
You are completely misunderstanding what people are saying in other threads or spreading misinformation. Anybody with a letter approved from the BCTSA is safe. People that were still waiting on a letter are being told to reapply under the new criteria.
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u/Loud_Cap_4250 Aug 13 '26
I’m not I think I would know I got my exemption in April and started a handgun transfer in May and was just recently a few days ago told that I need to reapply for exemption and that the rcmp needs more supporting documentation. This is also months after the fact that my exemption letter was already accepted and I was told everything valid by the rcmp/cfo and that I would be receiving my registration in the coming days, so no if you already have a letter you are by no means “safe”
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u/Elbro_16 Aug 13 '26
Was your transfer approved or not? I got one transfer approved instantly beggining of July, still waiting on the other. They did request extra training info, but did not say I needed another exemption
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u/MindYourOpSec Aug 13 '26
Was it your first pistol transfer or a subsequent one? The new criteria restricts us to one pistol for training, with more allowed only if actively competing/coaching
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Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
[deleted]
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u/EliteDuck Aug 04 '26
In my opinion, there's not really any modern semi rifle worth buying at the moment. Reviews are coming in for the Makasi and it's very clearly not great QC. Hopefully the Carmel is better, given that IWI has ok QC generally (they make the Tavor). Get a Ruger 10/22 and learn the fundamentals of shooting on that. SKSes are way too expensive now, and it's the bottom of the barrel ones being sold retail now, which are kind of bad quality and shit MOA.
As for gloves, I have 0.5mm insulation mechanix for the warm months, and some thick Petzl rappel gloves for colder months.
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u/VectorBuffer Aug 04 '26
Thanks!
The 10/22 has been mentioned a few times as a good entry rifle. I like how modular it seems to be and how much aftermarket support there is!
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u/Luci716 Aug 07 '26
I am approaching the one year mark in waiting, I am about to give up hope on this
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 11 '26
Did you call your provincial CFO?
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u/Luci716 Aug 13 '26
Yes
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u/OlivierSimonneau Aug 12 '26
I just got the call that I was approved last week, it’s been a year and 4 months
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u/conanap Aug 11 '26
I wanna buy something from Ellwood Epps, how are they? And the one I wanna buy is quite… dirty? And at some points it looks like rust on the surface. They didn’t send me pictures of inside the barrel / action etc, and they list it as good. Are these usually fine? Not as is. Thanks!
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 12 '26
It's worth the drive to Epps at least once
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u/conanap Aug 12 '26
I suppose that’s true lol. Do they let me buy in person? I have an exemption letter for the pistols, just not sure if I have to buy online. If I’m going there, I’d rather just be able to grab it there as well.
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 12 '26
they have to wait for the transfer to go through the CFOs office, that may take weeks, nonrestricted is almost immediate
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u/ResearcherSea2057 Aug 16 '26
I'm moving at the end of the month and I own one of the oh so dangerous PCC weapons of war that our gov decided to make illegal. When I update my address do I need to inform them of the firearm I own? Any risk I'll be added to any list?
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u/LordRaizer Aug 08 '26
Anyone get an update on the non-restricted versions of the MK-15 or Carmel?
iirc the ETA was late summer, but I never got contacted yet
•
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