Possession and Acquisition Licence

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A Possession and Acquisition Licence is a licence allowing a person in Canada to own and acquire firearms as well as ammunition.

Contents 1 Classifications 2 Testing 3 Acquiring Firearms 4 Transportation 5 External links

[edit] Classifications

• Non-restricted - Most long guns, rifles and shotguns are classified non-restricted.
• Restricted - All handguns, other than those that are prohibited, are classified as restricted, and must have a barrel length of at least 106mm. Many military looking, semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR15 are also classified as restricted. A restricted handgun must have a magazine capacity of no more than 10 rounds. A semi-automatic centre-fire rifle may not have a magazine capable of holding more than 5 rounds. Rimfire rifles have no restriction. The determination is based on the weapon for which the magazine is deemed to have been manufactured. This created a problem for owners of the Beretta Cx4 Storm because it originally shipped to Canada with 10 round magazines. As the Storm is deemed a rifle by Canadian law, these magazines were prohibited devices. However, the Storm can accept Beretta pistol magazines, legally allowing it to hold 10 rounds.
• Prohibited - This classification is used on all handguns with barrel lengths less than 106mm. It also is used for fully automatic guns, as well as any firearm chambered in .25 caliber or .32 caliber as these are considered to be a military round. A prohibited licence can be issued to qualifying businesses, and very rarely to individuals (hanguns only)[1] with extraordinary circumstances. However the latter can only obtain the prohibited handguns. The only other people who possess a prohibited endorsement are grandfathered to the type of prohibited firearm they own, as the gun laws changed over time.

From the Canadian Firearms Centre website: "As a general rule, you may possess prohibited firearms only if you have been “grandfathered” under section 12 of the Firearms Act. Being grandfathered means that you can keep certain prohibited firearms that were registered to you on specific dates set out in the Act. To stay grandfathered for a particular category of prohibited firearm, you must continuously hold a valid registration certificate for a prohibited firearm in that category from December 1, 1998 onward. To be able to keep your registration certificates valid, you need to keep your licence valid."[2]

[edit] Testing

To apply for a PAL, the applicant must pass the Canadian Non-Restricted Firearms Safety Test (including both a written and practical part). This allows a person to own and acquire long rifles and shotguns. To obtain a restricted PAL, the applicant must also pass the Canadian Restricted Firearms Test (again, including a separate written and practical exam). Before a licence is issued, the Chief Firearms Officer of the province in which the applicant resides conducts a background check. Previous convictions for serious violent, drug or weapons offences almost invariably result in the denial of the application.

[edit] Acquiring Firearms

The non-restricted PAL allows its holders to purchase any non-restricted firearm. The restricted firearms PAL (which also covers prohibited firearms to the those eligible) allows the acquisition of restricted firearms.

[edit] Transportation

• Any non-restricted firearm must be transported unloaded and concealed. If it is to be transported in a car, it must also be placed where it is not easily visible, such as in the trunk.
• Any restricted or prohibited firearm can only be transported to and from the shooting range of which its bearer is a member. It must be trigger-locked and also must be stored in a locked case.

An Authorization To Transport - or ATT - is required to transport all restricted firearms as well as prohibited classification firearms. You must also possess the ownership if you are to transport a restricted firearm. An ATT is only approved to holders that belong to a shooting range and use that gun for target practice, or to maintenance facilities. An Authorization to Carry allows a person to transport a restricted firearm or prohibited handgun concealed (or unconcealed) and loaded. An ATC is rarely issued, and it is usually given out to security professionals such as close protection officers, judges, and those who transport money. An ATC is not necessary for the carry of non-restricted firearms provided that municipal and/or other laws do not apply. An ATC or an ATT is also not required for the carry of non-restricted, restricted or prohibited firearms on the private property owned by the license holder.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External links

• Canadian Firearms Centre Website