Quote:
Originally Posted by _Q_
So looking at the RCMP website, it looks as though ownership of a hand gun requires a restricted license. In order to obtain a license, one must provide a reason for owning the weapon. Most common is target practice or for the weapon to be part of a collection. What's the process for proving a requirement? How likely are they to deny it? Do they somehow enforce that the weapon is used only for its intended purpose? Does a permit to transport allow you to transport anywhere you please or is that heavily restricted?
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Yes, you're correct. Ownership of a handgun requires that you state what you're going to be using it for. Most guys say for target shooting, which then requires that you prove membership to a gun club/range. Most ranges offer a full membership which can be expensive ($400-500/year) in town as they're indoor, or an associate membershp for <$100 so that you can prove membership, and then you must pay a discounted day fee for using the range itself. Same rule applies to restricted rifles. If you say that you're a collector, you can still buy/acquire the gun, but cannot take it outside the house or to a range ever.
They never really deny a restricted license unless your background check or references indicate that you should not own one, but that's more or less the same as the non-restricted license. There's more scrutiny with a restricted application, but if you're qualified for the non-restricted you generally qualify for the restricted too. I haven't heard of any case where a guy gets denied for a restricted if he already has a non-restricted license. You just need to prove range membership or say that you're a collector and it should be granted.
As for transportation permits, the ATT (authorization to transport) permit used to be issued every time you wanted to take it from your residence to the range or to a gunsmith/store, etc. You had to call the 1-800 number every time and wait for them to fax/email you the permit. It was a giant pain in the ass and has massive administrative overhead.
The Conservatives passed a law before leaving office that is a lot more common sense. With every restricted license now you get an automatic ATT condition with your license that says you can take it from your home to the range or gunsmith via the most direct route without having to call for an ATT. It's just attached to your license now. If you want to take it anywhere outside of those areas you must still call for an ATT.