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

• 25m Pistol

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

• CP33 (5.5" barrel)

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

• RFP (4.2" barrel)

Pardini

• SP / SP Bullseye (4.7" or 6" match barrels)

Feinwerkbau (FWB)

• AW93 (5.9" match barrel)

Hämmerli

• Forge H1 (1911 Platform) (4.25" or 5" barrel)
• X-Esse (5.9" match barrel)

ISSC

• M22 Target (5.5" barrel)

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

• MG2 (5.98" match barrel)

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

• RS22P (6" barrel)

Tactical Solutions

• Pac-Lite / Pac-Lite IV (4.5" or 6" receiver barrels)

Just got an email from BCTSA:

Update: RCMP Review
I’ve had the Exemption Letters on hold for a while now, dealing with issues raised by the RCMP.
Since the Handgun Exemption letters hit Canadian GunNutz in June, the volume of requests has risen astronomically. Combined with this, there has been a shift from sourcing the handguns locally, to importing them from the US.
I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I suspect both have resulted in the RCMP reviewing the Exemption Letter Process. In addition to BC, I’m now dealing with Ontario. I suspect it’s the importations that is driving that to some extent. It is Ontario that is driving the changes I will need to make.
Up until now, I’ve been following the process I set up with the BC CFO, which I thought was very reasonable. The Ontario process is more like what the SFC is following and is much more restrictive. I’m trying to work out something.
For now, I’m trying a new set of requirements and Forms. You will need to reapply, using the new request form (mostly the same information), one handgun only (unless you are actively competing or coaching), and include one or more of the new forms documenting your training, competing or coaching activity (only one needed. Coach will give you the most latitude, competition is the next best).
I have a huge backlog of requests. Applications with support from an official coach will receive priority, as will requests supporting new clubs. Others are generally in the order received.
New Requirements:
You must justify your assertion to be eligible for an exemption letter.
As you know, to get an exemption letter, you must 1. Train, 2. Coach, or 3. Compete in an approved sport:
25m Pistol

50m Pistol

25m Rapid Fire

Actively Training
Training is the rub. You saying you will train isn’t cutting it. I will need details. What is that going to look like? I will need you to:
Be a member of either:
A Local Club affiliated with BCTSA ($25 for the entire club) or

Western International Pistol League (WIPL).

Document that you are actively training. Some forms are provided on the website. These are not a guarantee. More is better, and support from a coach will make things much easier.

Joining a Club
If you have a local club training for Olympic events, no problem, join them. If not, WIPL is a good choice, but they aren’t necessarily there on the ground with you and can’t attest that you are training. The other option is to start a local club. This is easier than it might sound.
Starting a Club
Many communities in BC don’t have a club providing training for the Olympic sports, so how do you proceed? You start one.
A club doesn’t need to be incorporated under the Societies act; it can be an informal organization or part of your Range. It can even be started by a single person at your range. However, BCTSA Clubs are asked about membership every year, so while 1 person can start the club, it will need to grow to at least a few people. If you are going to use your range name, make sure the range is OK with that. You don’t need an official coach. You can train together to get started.
Community Coach training is now available online for a modest charge (abut $100), and a modest time commitment (4-5 hrs online) when one of you is ready. More advanced coach training is frequently available.
Also, keep in mind that once one person has done this, the entire Range membership is able to use the new club. You can also start a club without the range name, or with a slightly different name. Whatever works for you, but the club is expected to actively train and be operational, not just a work around the law. Remember, you are legally responsible for any statement you make under the Firearms Act, just as I am.
What is Active Training?
You must be training towards one of the accepted disciplines:

25m Pistol

50m Pistol

25m Rapid Fire

You must train a minimum amount. Initially, I’m working with a minimum of 3 times over 2-6 months. That’s pretty minimal, but this is a hobby. It may change, as required by the RCMP in future.  More is better!  Don't push my luck.

Getting started without a Handgun
This one isn’t optimum, but you can start to acquire the skills and technique with almost anything until you qualify for the exemption letter:
Air Pistol, Pellet pistol, BB pistol

Larger caliber handgun

If possible, beg, borrow (but don’t steal) something to train with. You can get an air pistol at Canadian Tire for $40. It’s enough to work on stance, grip, etc.
Competing
Most competitions publish results. Local or club level competitions also work, if they are formal competitions following ISSF Rules.
What types of competitions are accepted?
Formal local club – not for beer one Saturday, but something more organized. A weekly club match could work if it is following ISSF rules.

WIPL Mail In Match

Nearby club

Provincial, National, International

There are a few ways to provide documentation:
The competition publishes results; you tell me where to find that. (copy the link)

You get a note from a Coach, Club Official, etc. or self-report

You do a mail-in to WIPL (this might be the easiest if you are bootstrapping yourself).

Coaching
Coaching is easy to verify I need you registered as an NCCP trained/ Certified coach. I can look that up.
You must be either trained or certified as: Community Stream, Instructor of Beginners, Instructor Intermediate, Comp-Dev, ISSF-D, ISSF-C, ISSF-B or ISSF-A. Your NCCP number is required.
The new Community Stream Coaching modules provide a low barrier entry to becoming a coach, requiring 4-5 hrs of online learning for about $100. If you are interested in coaching, coach designation or starting a new club, this is a good place to start. https://bctsa.bc.ca/page-18090
New Restrictions
Training: Only 1 Exemption per year, unless your coach justifies a further need. Choose wisely.

I live in downtown Toronto and often use the subway and busses to get to the ranges.

I'm currently using a Vevor gun hardcase to carry my SKS. I don't have any stickers or labels on it that screams "there's a gun inside", but I read that a gun case alone is enough to cause panic or get stopped by the police, and that you need to cover the gun case (which is impossible because the case is already HUGE).

Is this a real risk? I'm getting a ton of conflicting and unclear info online.

Hello just wondering if I’m legally transporting a firearm (non restricted) and I am pulled over by a police officer am i under obligation to inform the officer i have a firearm in the vehicle?

Is anyone still waiting for handgun transfer approvals for USA imports since July? Specifically referring to Olympic exemption 22LR letters already submitted for IRG orders.

Has anyone heard what is going on or the reason for the delays? The usual transfer approval timeline should be 2-3 weeks max once the letter is submitted to the RCMP. Without the transfer approval nothing can be imported or shipped. It usually takes 2 weeks for the approval and another 1 week to get the registration certificate mailed. For some it has been almost 2 months.

Do you guys see a problem with this?
Below the ejector thingy it opens up to be just wide enough for the lock, i tried yanking it out and it is not moving, wont close either obviously

I bought a shotgun online from Bullseye the other day, today I got this email from them.

Im not sure what the issue is, I got my PAL in June and have made purchases without issue.

I wasn't in any legal trouble or anything, so this seems odd. Has anyone else had this happen before?

Neither of us will be home tomorrow and the landlord wants to come in with a painter to paint around the door of our balcony? Being a firearm owner, are they allowed to without anyone in the home present?

Edit: My firearms are trigger locked in a Huntshield gun cabinet, ammo is in a locked cabinet in my closet. Maybe be a little nicer? I've never had a landlord come into my home while i've not been present in the 5 years i've had my PAL. So I was unsure.

Is anyone still waiting on their 22LR Handgun Transfer Approval? It seems like the RCMP Firearms Centre CFO is either not processing them or taking a very long time to do so especially for US imports. Anyone else still waiting from a month ago?

I have absolutely no intention of forfeiting my working AR15 to the state.

That being said, if it comes down to the wire and they start leaning on us even harder as October 30 approaches, are they expecting to steal intact, working rifles?

Because I have a chop saw, and will cut my rifle into pieces and bring the scraps in a bag to the cop shop. Because fuck ’em is why.

Being the dickhead statists they are, you would probably have to make sure that the scraps have a “trigger lock” and are enclosed in a locked hard sided container.

Any thoughts?

Hey everyone, I am considering getting the PAL license (restricted and non-restricted), and I wanted to ask if there are any cons to being a PAL holder in Canada?

Is it true that the government can pose you as a suspect if anything happens in the area where you live (firearm related) or just in general is it true that the government keeps an eye on you as a PAL holder?

Hello all,

I have a family member who recently passed away who owns some handguns I was wondering if there is anyway to have the passed down to me? The guns themselves are older cowboy style guns and I recently have been interested in Cowboy Action Shooting but obviously cant buy a revolver for the sport and this would be a great opportunity to not only get one but also keep the collectible in the family.

With the laws in place is this even possible anymore?

Thanks in advance

I signed up for my range safety course today and completely bombed it.

I acts/proved fine enough but when it came time to test with a pistol for the life of me I could not reload it. My hands got excessively sweaty and pulling back the slide was near impossible for me no matter how many times I wiped my hands.

Eventually nerves got to me and derailed my whole progression were I started to make mistakes on fundamentals like acts/proves, maintaining trigger discipline and not following procedure, and this was just in the classroom with a denatured pistol and dummy ammo.

Even with wiping my hands over and over again, on the range it was more of the same which resulted in me not passing the test. By the end I believe I was even trembling due to my nerves.

Of course not passing is a good thing in terms of safety, you wouldn’t want someone unsure of themselves handling something so dangerous. However how does one get better at this?

It is prohibitively expensive to go to a range as a non member and shoot, and even then when you, the parts that I failed at the most like actually reloading/acts and proves are already done for you, which teaches you nothing in terms of what to do.

I’ve always been a fairly nervous guy and am prone to excessive hand sweat. Honestly when playing video games with a controller, I wear gloves as my hands tend to profusely sweat.

This is a hobby I hoped to get into and I have already spent a decent amount of money + time invested into it however it seems like there is not really an avenue to get better at this. I contemplated practicing with a bb but it doesn’t feel anything like the real one, with the real glock I was using being much tighter and harder to get the slide to lock.

Not really sure what things I should focus on and how I can combat it. It could be my finger/ hand strength, nerves, sweaty hands of a combination of everything.

I feel really bummed out, like something is fundamentally wrong with me. Hell, even young children were doing it successfully on the range, while I, a full blown adult was not.

In other news, I had to get another three pack this weekend.

Non Canadian here (this should change in the near future). I live in the Netherlands currently and before that Spain, and the UK. Here in the Netherlands there are essentially zero restrictions on air guns and pistols, no license required. In Spain you're limited to 24.2 joules without a license, and the UK is the most restrictive at 16.3 joules.

I was looking at getting an air pistol to do some target practice in the garden, but since my plans are to move to Alberta in 2027/2028, I would want to take it with me. I learned that to do this I would need a PAL, which is obviously not possible to get until I'm a resident. Something that Canada views as a real firearm is just allowed here in the Netherlands with no issue. Very strange to me considering Europe gets a reputation for over regulation. Even in the UK where I'm from, which is pretty anti gun, an easy to obtain airgun is not so easy to get in Canada with a PAL.

My question is, has Canada always been this hard on air guns or is this a result of the Trudeau era policies?

i was wondering with the violence increasing (i am in montreal, people break in houses is increasing) why Verney-Carron Flash-Ball is not allowed?

I check the law and I saw the joules etc but can we decrease the PSI of it? I know they're mostly associated with law enforcement in some countries.

just wondering if a company had release a news for an equivalent.

Edit: for **self-defense**

Anyone know what would happen in this particular situation?

Let’s say I got a long term ATT for a loaned handgun. The owner dies while it’s in my possession, what would happen with that firearm?

Hi everyone, I hope each one of us doing great.
I want know as non-restricted and restricted license holder, without any exception can I guy it?
Am I eligible and legally can I get one?
Thank you

I mean, we need pistols for hunting and self-defence if a bear is running at you and is near.

Hey all ! I recently inherited 3 guns. Absolutely no judgement to any legal gun owners out there! It’s just not for me and I would love any advice on what my legal obligations are before I give them away. I know I need to have them registered first before I do anything else. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand registration is for the gun itself, whereas license is for the person. Therefore I don’t need a license since I don’t intend on using them….is this correct? Once I register, do I need to do sometime else? For example, do I need to “de-activate” them ? FYI, they are from the early 1900s. They are not considered antiques according to Canadian law. Thanks for the advice fellow Canadians !

Someone in my household was recently falsely accused of sexual assault. As part of their bail conditions, they are prohibited from possessing firearms, crossbows, and other weapons.

I own three recently prohibited firearms in my collection. Their lawyer has advised that the bail conditions may be considered breached simply because the firearms are in the home. Hopefully, the lawyer can have that condition clarified or amended. If not, I’ll need to transport the firearms to a trusted friend for storage.

What is the process for obtaining an Authorization to Transport (ATT/ATP) for recently prohibited firearms? Is it still possible to get one? I’d rather not participate in the buyback program.

Bought this box of norinco 7.62x39 and there was a round missing…

idrc about the loosing 50cents but is this potentially something I should be worried about/bring up?

I bought it from Canadian tire, I’m hopping this is just a manufacturing error or something not theft.