Owning assault rifles in Canada... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Azure · 05-12-2008, 07:26 PM

IIRC, assault rifles are classified as prohibited firearms, and someone told me the other day that unless you owned one prior to the new gun laws coming into play, they were illegal to purchase and own.

Is that correct? I'm not talking about fully automatic ones either, but semi-automatic.

Also, whats the deal with owning handguns....I believe they are classified as restricted. As far as I know you just have to pass an advanced course to be able to purchase and own one.

Calgaryborn · 05-12-2008, 07:42 PM

You just have to challenge the test for restricted which isn't much different than the test for unrestricted firearms and apply for the licence to own a handgun. My friend was going to take the unrestricted test and happened to mention to the tester his intent and was told he might as well take the restricted test if that's what he eventually wanted. He passed no problem.

I hadn't heard the assault rifle law was coming into effect. I do remember being told by our local sporting store shop that they were no longer going to stock semi-autos because he didn't want to be stuck with stock he eventually wouldn't be able to sell. That was back when the Liberals were in power.

Azure · 05-12-2008, 07:43 PM

Yeah, I figured the same thing.

I thought that as long as the assault rifles weren't fully automatic, you could own one if you had an appropriate license.

Calgaryborn · 05-12-2008, 07:54 PM

Right now a semi-auto that uses centre-fire ammunition is a restricted weapon. A Semi-auto that uses rim-fire ammo is unrestricted.

tussery · 05-12-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Right now a semi-auto that uses centre-fire ammunition is a restricted weapon. A Semi-auto that uses rim-fire ammo is unrestricted.

Yeah because a well placed .22LR round could never kill anybody.

Calgaryborn · 05-12-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tussery

Yeah because a well placed .22LR round could never kill anybody.

You've never been gopher shooting? Semi-autos can be a hoot.

Azure · 05-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Right now a semi-auto that uses centre-fire ammunition is a restricted weapon. A Semi-auto that uses rim-fire ammo is unrestricted.

So I could buy a semi-automatic AR-15 legally?

tussery · 05-12-2008, 08:34 PM

I have been rabbit hunting before with my Ruger 10/22. I just don't understand why you would ban one semi-auto rifle over another when they are all just as dangerous when used improperly.

tussery · 05-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

So I could buy a semi-automatic AR-15 legally?

The .223 is a center fire round which is the main round that the AR-15 is chambered for.

Azure · 05-12-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tussery

I have been rabbit hunting before with my Ruger 10/22. I just don't understand why you would ban one semi-auto rifle over another when they are all just as dangerous when used improperly.

I don't see why you would ban guns at all.....considering responsible gun owners usually don't use them improperly.

Just make the test to qualify for the restricted license a lot harder, so that people learn how to use that weapon perfectly before they're allowed to own it.

Heck, make them go to the firing range and take shooting lessons before they can legally own those weapons.

Azure · 05-12-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tussery

The .223 is a center fire round which is the main round that the AR-15 is chambered for.

So its filed under 'restricted' weapons.

Which weapons are than classified as prohibited?

Calgaryborn · 05-12-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tussery

I have been rabbit hunting before with my Ruger 10/22. I just don't understand why you would ban one semi-auto rifle over another when they are all just as dangerous when used improperly.

I agree it is a stupid law. I guess their reasoning is the difference in the effective range.

Rifleman · 05-12-2008, 08:49 PM

Oh Azure, how Wordforge.net has influenced you.

I kid, I kid.

Are you thinking of taking your restricted/prohibited license? There is a gun shop down in Inglewood that offers the course. For restricted, I think it's not much of a problem, but for prohibited, you need someone who has known you for at least 5 years to sign for you. I don't know the full details.

Also, there was some odd law that says you can't load a certain type of rifle (don't remember if it was semiauto or full auto) with more than 5 rounds, even for target practice.

tussery · 05-12-2008, 08:49 PM

Well I wish you luck, I just recently purchased a Bushmaster AR-15 because I was afraid I won't be able to get one for another 8-10 years after this election year. They are fun guns to shoot.

Calgaryborn · 05-12-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

So its filed under 'restricted' weapons.

Which weapons are than classified as prohibited?

Many types of handguns, all sawed-off shotguns/rifles, all automatics and anything they designate as prohibited.

Azure · 05-12-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifleman

Oh Azure, how Wordforge.net has influenced you.

I kid, I kid.

It certainly has aroused my interest in guns.

Quote:

Are you thinking of taking your restricted/prohibited license? There is a gun shop down in Inglewood that offers the course. For restricted, I think it's not much of a problem, but for prohibited, you need someone who has known you for at least 5 years to sign for you. I don't know the full details.

Eventually, yeah I want to get my restricted license. Prohibited too.

It wouldn't be a problem with either....I've been around guns my whole life, so passing the test shouldn't be that hard. As for someone knowing me for 5 years, there is a guy here in town who looks after the guns for the cops, and he would gladly sign for me. I'll probably take my license from him too, along with a safety course, training classes, everything.

Quote:

Also, there was some odd law that says you can't load a certain type of rifle (don't remember if it was semiauto or full auto) with more than 5 rounds, even for target practice.

Meh, I'll live with that as long as I can own an AR-15.

Rifleman · 05-12-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

So its filed under 'restricted' weapons.

Which weapons are than classified as prohibited?

There are three classes of firearms and firearm licenses: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. Prohibited firearms are not actually prohibited, you just need a special license to be allowed to buy them. That special license is only given by Chief Firearms Officer of Alberta or the Federal Government of Canada.

Non-restricted licenses: many semi-automatic and manual rifles + shotguns, but not handguns. The rifles must be a certain length, but if you get one with a short barrel, that rifle would be classified as restricted.

Restricted license: most handguns and certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Handguns with really short barrels are considered prohibited. Certain handguns are classed prohibited even without the shorty barrel.

Prohibited license: firearms classified as prohibited, including fully automatic firearms. These ones are the ones that require a special permit. Either that, or you owned a prohibited firearm already before 1998 and you can get one on that fact alone.

I think that's all...

Azure · 05-12-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tussery

Well I wish you luck, I just recently purchased a Bushmaster AR-15 because I was afraid I won't be able to get one for another 8-10 years after this election year. They are fun guns to shoot.

I know a lot of people who are using their government checks to purchase guns that they want.

Buy ammo too.....God knows the government will want to outlaw it as well.

Rifleman · 05-12-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Meh, I'll live with that as long as I can own an AR-15.

Are you gonna deck it out like those people on that forum? I swear, some of them would forego spending their paycheck on FOOD for the chance to buy new GUNS.

Azure · 05-12-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifleman

There are three classes of firearms and firearm licenses: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. Prohibited firearms are not actually prohibited, you just need a special license to be allowed to buy them. That special license is only given by Chief Firearms Officer of Alberta or the Federal Government of Canada.

Non-restricted licenses: many semi-automatic and manual rifles + shotguns, but not handguns. The rifles must be a certain length, but if you get one with a short barrel, that rifle would be classified as restricted.

Restricted license: most handguns and certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Handguns with really short barrels are considered prohibited. Certain handguns are classed prohibited even without the shorty barrel.

Prohibited license: firearms classified as prohibited, including fully automatic firearms. These ones are the ones that require a special permit. Either that, or you owned a prohibited firearm already before 1998 and you can get one on that fact alone.

I think that's all...

Yeah, the prohibited license was the part I was confused on. Most sites I looked at mentioned the fact that if you owned a prohibited license prior to 1998, you could get a special license, but they failed to mention that you can still get a prohibited license.