I'm a new member of the forum and I thought I'd share some information on our guns laws in Canada.
First off, I'm not trying to say one way of doing things is better than the other. We share may values and are allies in the war on terrorism. However our societies are different and in the case of gun ownership, are very different.
Lastly, I own handguns and long guns and enjoy making holes in targets.
If you want to purchase or acquire any firearm in Canada you must apply for a Possesion and Acqusition Licence (PAL). Our firearms laws are federal so we don't have a different set of laws from province to province or territory
A test is required (theory and practical) after which you can ask for the PAL. The form asks many questions including marital/civil status. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) can ask the spouse/partner if they are aware of the request. I suppose the request could be denied if the partner were to raise legitimate concerns. The RCMP also conducts CPIC (criminal background) checks before approving the issuance of the PAL.
BTW: You can't even touch a firearm or purchase ammunition without a PAL.
After about two to three months you get your PAL. You can then purchase a long gun and take it away with you. A handgun is a whole other matter. You put 100% down and then submit a request to the Chief Firearms Officer of the province to register the handgun. If it's your first request this process could take six months. You also have to have a reason to buy the handgun. Being a member of a shooting club helps. What you call CCW is virtually unheard of in Canada. At any one time there may be 10 CCWs issued in the whole country.
If your request is approved you are granted an Authority To Transport (ATT) which allows you to transport the handgun from the store to your residence. The gun must be locked with a trigger lock, be in a locked carrier and in a location in the vehicle that's inaccessible to the driver or passenger.
Once home, the gun must be locked in a secure cabinet with ammunition stored in either another locked location or in the same cabinet but locked up.
If you shoot you then have to request another ATT which is endorsed by your (approved|) gun club and is good for three years. The ATT allows the transport to and from the gun club using the most direct route. In addition, you have to sign in and out of the gun club showing the time you arrived and time you left the club.
Police officers must follow the same process if they wish to purchase a firearm, even if they carry a service weapon every day!
Lastly. If you're planning to come to Canada (or transit going to Alaska) with a firearm best check our laws first. If you don't declare the firearm to Canada Customs it will be seized and may not be returned. If you don't, and especially for a handgun, you WILL be arrested. This also applies to police officers, even when on duty. Apparently we have nice jails, but it's better not to find out the hard way.
Sometimes this whole process is a right PITA for honest gun owners
but that's the way it is.
Cheers from the frozen north.
