HOW TO GET A 22LR HANDGUN EXEMPTION IN BC (AB has a similar process)
1. PREREQUISITES
Obtain your RPAL (Restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence) and an active BCTSA (British Columbia Target Sports Association) Membership.
2. COMPLETE C-21 EXEMPTION FORM and submit to BCTSA
Fill out the designated C-21 22LR exemption form and submit it via email. Wait 1-2 weeks to receive your official Exemption Letter. This is make and model specific for each letter.
Alberta has a similar process with exemption letters that are open ended for multiple makes and models.
3. CHOOSE & PURCHASE FIREARM
Select a handgun to purchase from a Canadian or US retailer. Send your Exemption Letter to the retailer/importer (required by Global Affairs Canada and CBSA for the handgun import permit paperwork and transfer). If importing, the importer will do the paperwork, shipping and clearance for you.
Requirements:
- Must be strictly .22LR caliber only.
- Minimum 4.17-inch (106mm) barrel length.
4. FINAL RCMP SUBMISSION (AT REQUEST)
Send your Exemption Letter via email when specifically requested by the RCMP Firearms Centre on behalf of the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) (Miramichi, NB).
5. RECEIVE APPROVAL & REGISTRATION
Receive your transfer approval and registration certificates via email from the RCMP.
6. RECEIVE DOCUMENTS
Receive your physical registration certificates via mail from the RCMP.
7. RECEIVE HANDGUN VIA MAIL
Receive your .22LR handgun(s) via mail.
Requirements Checklist
To qualify, your application must reflect the following criteria:
- Is a member of BCTSA and in good standing
- 25m Pistol (ISSF Program -- Olympic/Paralympic program training discipline)
- Is training (Check off)
- Training, generally (Check off)
- Promise to train
The BC Target Sports Association is that Provincial sport shooting governing body in BC. The SFC is the National Sports Organization.
What this means, is that if you are training, competing, or coaching in an Olympic or Paralympic discipline using Handguns, BCTSA can provide an exemption allowing you to purchase appropriate handguns. Generally, this means .22 caliber pistols. You are not expected to be proficient or competitive, just wishing to train in the sport. BCTSA offers this to all BCTSA members, including the members of Affiliated Clubs. BCTSA met with the Chief Firearms Officer for BC and worked out a process for this exemption. Acceptable Firearms are generally .22 calibre. Entry level handguns are acceptable, as are the more expensive, competition quality handguns.
Before you apply for a Transfer Exemption, you should locate a Handgun to purchase. Many stores no longer carry or order Handguns, so please do your shopping before you ask to transfer a Handgun you can't find to purchase. BC is not Texas. The availability of Handguns here is an issue, especially with this being one of the few avenues left for purchasing one.
To be eligible, you need to EITHER: Train, Compete or Coach. Only one is necessary. More is better, but only one is necessary. This is about intent, so if you are training to compete in the sport, please check off Training and Competing, as that is the intended purpose of the Handgun transfer. Do not send a shopping list of what you MIGHT like to transfer if you can find one, only what you have found and will transfer. Shopping lists will be denied.
Disciplines
Eligible 22LR Handguns (Example Brands)
Note: Under this exemption, firearms must be for .22LR caliber only and Minimum 4.17-inch (106mm) barrel length.
US Import Note: Handguns can be purchased from the IRUNGUNS US store in Arizona. They are then imported to their Canadian warehouse in Alberta and shipped directly to the customer. IRUNGUNS handles all the necessary cross-border import paperwork on your behalf. There are also other combinations possible such as from an auction to the importer. Any extended magazines are clipped to 10.
Double check that the handgun is listed as Restricted on the RCMP Firearms Reference Table (FRT). You can also check if it was previously sold by a Canadian retailer online (many are still listed just out of stock). There are some AR pistol variants for example that are prohibited.
EXAMPLES -- Basically any handgun you can find in the USA that is 22LR and classified Restricted with a Minimum 4.17 inch (106mm) barrel length can be imported:
Ruger
- Mark IV Target (5.5" barrel)
- Mark IV 22/45 Lite (4.4" barrel)
- Mark IV Competition (6.875" barrel)
Taurus
- TX22 Standard / T.O.R.O. (4.6" barrel)
- TX22 Competition (5.25" barrel)
Browning
- 1911-22 A1 Full Size (1911 Platform) (4.25" barrel)
- 1911-22 Medallion Comp / Black Label Full Size (4.25" barrel)
- Buck Mark Camper / Camper URX / Camper SR (5.5" barrel)
- Buck Mark Challenge / Plus / Medallion / Black Label (5.5" barrel)
- Buck Mark Lite Gray / Lite Green URX (5.5" barrel)
- Buck Mark Contour Pro / Contour Stainless (5.5" or 5.9" barrel)
- Buck Mark Plus UDX / Rosewood UDX (5.5" barrel)
- Buck Mark Field Target Micro / Plus Micro Bull (4.4" barrel)
- Buck Mark Micro Bull RMSC Suppressor Ready (4.4" barrel)
- Buck Mark Plus Vision / Field Target Vision (4.4" or 5.9" barrel)
- Buck Mark Hunter (6.875" barrel)
GSG (German Sport Guns)
- GSG 1911 .22LR (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
- Firefly Threaded (4.7" barrel)
Walther
- Colt Government 1911-22 (Licensed 1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
- PPQ .22 / PPQ M2 .22 (4.6" or 5" barrel)
Smith & Wesson
- SW22 Victory / Victory Target (5.5" barrel)
- Model 41 (5.5" or 7" barrel)
Sig Sauer
- Sig Sauer 1911-22 (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
Chiappa Firearms
- 1911-22 Custom / Puma / Standard (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
American Tactical (ATI)
- M1911 .22LR Tactical (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
Mauser
- Mauser Rimfire 1911 (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
- Mauser Rimfire M20 Threaded (4.75" barrel)
Kimber
- Rimfire Target (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
Armscor / Rock Island Armory
- XT22 Standard / Combo (1911 Platform) (5" barrel)
FN Herstal
- FN 502 Tactical (4.6" barrel)
Volquartsen
- Black Mamba / Black Mamba LLV (4.5" or 6" barrel)
- Scorpion (4.5" or 6" barrel)
KelTec
Beretta
- M9_22 (4.9" barrel)
- U22 Neos (4.5" or 6" barrel)
Glock
- G44 with factory extended/threaded barrel kit installed (4.5" barrel)
Steyr Arms
Pardini
- SP / SP Bullseye (4.7" or 6" match barrels)
Feinwerkbau (FWB)
Hämmerli
- Forge H1 (1911 Platform) (4.25" or 5" barrel)
- X-Esse (5.9" match barrel)
ISSC
Grand Power
- K22 Standard (5" barrel)
- K22 X-Trim Mk23 (4.25" barrel)
- K22 TS (6" or 8" barrel)
- TR22 Stribog / Stribog .22 LR (8" or 10" large-format barrel)
CZ (Česká zbrojovka)
- CZ 75 Kadet (4.7" or 4.9" barrel configurations)
Excel Arms
- X-22P Pistol (4.375" or 4.5" barrel)
Morini
- CM 22M / CM 22M RF (5.11" match barrel)
Match Guns
Benelli
- MP 90S / MP 95E World Cup (4.33" match barrel)
Tanfoglio
- Force 22 L / Force 22 Standard (4.7", 5.2", or 5.7" barrel)
Bersa
- Thunder 22-6 Target (6" barrel)
Rossi
Tactical Solutions
- Pac-Lite / Pac-Lite IV (4.5" or 6" receiver barrels)