I did!
I'll give it a shot with a few stores in the general area tomorrow. I'll report back.
North Bay and Sudbury have sporting goods stores that won't let you into the gun room without first showing your PAL
I have been in three different stores that would plainly ask to see your PAL before you were able to either be in the room or able to have a gun handed across the counter for inspection. I assume this is to remove the idlers/looky-loos and in one case (Lever Arms downtown Vancouver) very possible to sort out the anti-gun crowd.
A demand for further gun laws is an admission that the hundreds of gun laws already on the books, and the Firearms Act itself, is simply to placate the uninformed.
“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." Tacitus
I live in Sudbury and I have a feeling I know which ones (one in particular) in the city you're referring to. At one store in Sudbury I've bought five rifles and a shotgun in the past seven months, and a metric ton of hunting and shooting supplies, and they still ask me for my PAL when I ask to go into the gun room. I think one time the guy waved off my licence because he recognized me but every other time the request is made. I'm only annoyed by it when I happen to forget my PAL.
It's essential you try a handgun on for size. However it is rumoured there are some shops(in TO) that won't let you in the door without a PAL. They don't want your business.
It depends on the store. I was asked 3 times to show my license at one store, but that was on boxing day and the clerk looked very tired.
My experience is similar..produce a license to shop..not to say the quick explanation won't get it in your hand.
My trips to the gun store almost always involve some tire-kicker at the counter whose RPAL has been on the way for 5 years and countless trips to the gun store to waste the staff's time and mine (while I wait my turn..to actually buy something). These are the same cats that want to argue firearms law and propagate myths with the counter help..say "weapon" as many times as possible in every sentence, etc.
I am the last to defend gun store employees my experiences are rarely positive..however I feel for them in this regard. Every soft-shell in town seems to want to show up at the gun store and get nose-prints all over the glass.
Present yourself as a serious buyer and explain your intent...it would be foolish to turn away a prospective buyer because he is new to the sport..but let's be fair there are alot more people who "always meant to apply" than actually applied.