In order to purchase/own a pistol, is there any requirement that the club of which you are a member have pistol shooting at its range(s)? The reason I ask is that I won't be shooting particularly often, and it would probably suit my needs better if I could find a cheap outdoor range to join (which may not have pistol shooting), and then just go down to TSE or something on day passes when I did go shooting.
Regarding the requirement to be a club member
- Thread starter phatns2pid
- Start date
Nothing in the Firearms Act says that you have to be a club member in order to purchase a handgun or obtain an ATT. All you need is an valid restricted license. The problem is that some provincial CFOs are overstepping their legal authority by refusing to issue a long-term ATTs to anyone who is not a club member.
Which province do you live in?
You mention TSE so I will assume you are in Calgary. The Alberta CFO will not transfer a restricted without a valid range membership. TSE has now created an associate membership for $30 iirc. This membership gives you no privileges at the range but is good enough for restricted transfers. If you are planning on using day passes at TSE anyhow, I would go this route.
I was told by the Sask firearm people that I need to be a member of a club to hold an ATT. I was a member of a local club anyway ( a nice well equiped indoor range ) so that was not a problem. What has dissapointed me is that there are hardly any members if any that use the range. I have signed the book upon leaving after a session shooting only to go back two weeks later to discover that nobody has been there since. I was hoping the club would have competitions, but nothing. It seems that people belong to the club only as this allows them to possess their hand guns, not even the president of the club shoots there.
If the requirement of some CFOs to be a member of a club with a pistol range is not in the Firearms Act or Regs could a person request a judicial review and possibly get the decision over ruled? And if so, would such a ruling force a CFO to stop the unauthorized practice?
my long term att renewal just came back saying they will not issue you it to me untill I fax them my club membership card. I called them and they said it has always been required (not true, but whatever I'll fax it over), this is in BC btw.
That doesn't change the fact that you won't get the licence unless you do become a member. As far as local CFO's overstepping their authority, even the provincial CFO answers the phone by saying RCMP in the greeting, at least in BC. You're dealing with federal beauracracy at both levels. Edit: BTW Since I actually did join a club anyway although at the time it wasn't necessary I'm happy to report I have made lots of friends, learned more than I thought I ever could and shoot much better for the encouragement and advice. Doesn't have to be a bad thing...Just a thought.
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You poor souls.
Haha well aware of that. I just don't really have the finances to dump 400+ into a membership every year at the moment. Barely have enough excess cash to get a pistol in the first place!
That's simply not true.
It's great that you're making new friends and all, but that doesn't change the fact that the CFO is acting illegitimately.
The Cocker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fraser Valley B.C
I have a long term ATT, hopefully they don't give me any sh*t on my new handgun I ordered. Im not a club member.
I'd be interested in knowing what they say since you already have the Long term ATT. If a person doesn't already have the long term ATT then under the new "POLICY" (not law but every bit as forceful if they say no unless you want to do the expensive "I'll see you in court" deal and wind up losing anyway).
When I buy a new gun they ask me what club I'm with and I tell them so I don't know if they'd say ok or not. They do always ask if it's for target shooting or collecting and I suppose if you say collecting you might not have to belong to a club but of course that opens up the other whole bag of worms.
I'm in ON. Bought two restricteds in the last 3 months. Including a S&W 686 I bought about a week ago from AB. The store asked me where I shoot. Transfer went through okay, even though I wasn't even a member at the time. I only joined after the transfer (I don't even have my membership card yet!). No call from the CFO. Since joining, I've now taken the club-level safety course and mailed in my ATT request. We'll see how that goes.
