Quote:
Originally Posted by wittynickname
You want to own a weapon? Sure. Pass a background check. Pass a mental health examination. Pass a drug test. Pass an educational course that proves you know how to properly store, disarm, and responsibly fire said weapon. Register the weapon the same way I register my car every year.
Push for the production of smarter weapons, push for laws that punish irresponsible gun owners who don't properly lock up their weapons.
If you're honestly a responsible gun owner, reasonable gun control laws aren't even going to affect you, but it might take weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn't have them. And no, you're not to stop all gun crime--but if you save a few thousand lives a year, I'd say it's worth the effort.
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In Canada, most of this already takes place, I think that lot of people just are not aware of what someone in Canada has to do in order to legally acquire a firearm.
Step 1: Decide if you want to have Non-Restricted or Restricted firearms. The classification system in Canada is so messed up and useless I'm not even going to get into that.
Step 2: Register for your Canadian Firearms Safety Course. This course is 8 hours long, costs about $200 and has both a 50 question written test and a practical examination. The pass mark for both is 80%. If you want to get your Restricted, that requires you take the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course. This is about $175, but most places offer a $300 bundle deal. Again, 50 question written and a practical exam, pass mark is 80%.
Step 3: You've passed the courses and now you have the licensing paperwork to fill out for the RCMP. Be honest, since lying on this application is a criminal offense. You'll be asked about any past criminal convictions, if you have a history of violence, history of mental illness. You also need to provide two references who have known you at least 3 years and provide a photo that is signed by a guarantor. Mail it off to the RCMP and it's another $100 once you factor in postage.
Step 4: The RCMP now does their background checks, calls your references and you wait the mandatory 28 days. Typically a license should be issued within 45 days of receipt. There are a few provinces where the process is slightly different. Mainly Quebec because of Loi 9 and any province with a provincially appoint Chief Firearms Officer will usually take longer.
Step 5: Now you have your nice new PAL or RPAL and want to buy a gun. Since the Long Gun Registry was abolished in 2012, you are no longer required to register a Non-Restricted firearm. In fact, the Canadian Firearms Program will not even let you try. Again, this is different in Quebec as they have been fighting the federal government for the registry data. Quebec residents who buy NR firearms are "encouraged" to register them, although it is not a legal requirement.
If you want to buy a restricted firearm, the process is a little bit different. Basically all the same up until the point of sale, but the clerk is going to record all you RPAL data, as well as address. This information is then sent to the CFP and a transfer is started. You then call in with your reference number and complete the transfer, this involves telling them what you plan on doing with it and proving you are a member of a gun club or range. This usually takes about a week for a first time purchase, all the while your gun is still at the store. Once the transfer is complete, you will be issue a Long Term Authorization To Transport (LTATT) to take your restricteds to the range and back to their place of storage. You also get a Short Term Authorization To Transport (STATT) to take your gun from the shop to it's place of storage ONLY. You still need to wait 2+ weeks for the registration certificate before you can transport at all.
A lot of the issues that come up surround the transport regulations which are convoluted and a lot of which does not have anything to do with safety. The other big one is the totally arbitrary classification system in Canada which is not fact based.