Air pistols in Canada?

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rabidcanadian

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I did a search and came up with not much info on this...

If I bring an air pistol rated over 500fps into Canada is it restricted or not? I know if is classified as a firearm but would it be a restricted one?
 
Thanks Hammer, but I am wondering about over 500fps. I think I will save myself the trouble and just buy the air rifle I spotted instead. I am looking at an air pistol rated at 600 fps- crosman pump type or a Crosman Nitro Venom .22 at 900 or fps both are priced the same at $110usd.
 
Just an FYI

Here is what I am looking at

The 1377 playpack
The Nitro Venom in .22 with scope
or the M4-177

The only one I know if legal as non restricted is the Venom and I am not sure if the M4-177 is even legal in Canada. These are the three I am trying to decide upon and yes they will be purchased in the USA. USA export rules do not apply to these items as they are not considered as firearms in the USA, so I am not breaking any laws or forum rules. To avoid breaking Canadian laws I am asking before I buy.
 
You should read up on the US export regs - even though they might not be a "firearm" in the USA they may still fall under ITAR. Not saying they are - just saying to read up carefully on it.

Because your biggest problem won't be on the Canuck side, it would be with the DHS
 
Air guns with both a muzzle velocity greater than 500 feet per second and a muzzle energy greater than 5.7 joules are considered firearms under the Firearms Act.

air guns with a maximum muzzle velocity of 152.4 metres or 500 feet per second and/or a maximum muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot-pounds are exempt from licensing, registration, and other requirements under the Firearms Act, and from penalties set out in the Criminal Code for possessing a firearm without a valid licence or registration certificate.
 
sewktbk said:
Air guns with both a muzzle velocity greater than 500 feet per second and a muzzle energy greater than 5.7 joules are considered firearms under the Firearms Act.

air guns with a maximum muzzle velocity of 152.4 metres or 500 feet per second and/or a maximum muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot-pounds are exempt from licensing, registration, and other requirements under the Firearms Act, and from penalties set out in the Criminal Code for possessing a firearm without a valid licence or registration certificate.
Click to expand...

Run the math (energy calculations) on the pellet weights available, and you will rapidly find that the exemption does not buy you anything useful. Unless you want to shoot styrofoam beads really really fast. There are a couple online calculators, if you don't want to crunch the numbers with a calculator.

Really, it only keeps retailers of the PBA and other lightweight .177 cal pellets from being on the hook for selling restricted firearms from them (light pellets) being used in those guns.

Not gonna help a fella at all, if the model is already rated above the 500 FPS limit anyway.

Cheers
Trev
 
This is becoming over complicated. All I am trying to find out is if an airgun over 500fps in the form of a handgun would be considered a restricted gun here in Canada? Forget the import/export stuff. Are all air guns over 500fps lumped together as firearms or are rifles and handguns classed the same as "real" firearms.
 
Ok thanks, kinda gather that from the RCMP site. It's says that depending on the gun itself it could be non restricted, restricted, or prohibited. The site suggests calling a firearms tech to find out.
 
It's simple, if your air pistol shoots over 500 fps you should have a restricted PAL. If your air rifle goes faster than 500 fps get a non restricted PAL.
If airguns don't go faster than 500 fps with the lightest pellets available you need no license and can buy them at Canadian Tire or some other retail
store if you are 18 or older. Funny how back in the 70's I used to go to the local hardware store and buy pellets when I was 8 years old.
 
rabidcanadian said:
This is becoming over complicated. All I am trying to find out is if an airgun over 500fps in the form of a handgun would be considered a restricted gun here in Canada?
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All handguns are restricted, there is no such thing as an unrestricted handgun in Canada.

So, if your air pistol has both muzzle velocity and muzzle energy high enough to be considered a firearm, it is by definition restricted. There is no other option.

Keep in mind that as soon as it meets the definition of a firearm, it needs an FRT#. So if you are bringing in a gun that has never been reviewed by the RCMP/assigned an FRT#, it'll need to be sent to them for verification before you can legally own it.

That being said, I sense that you don't want to buy something that falls into the restricted category.
 
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Based on 500fps and 4.2fpe limits, a .177 pellet of 7.5 grains at 500fps is fine, but 7.6 grains at 500fps is restricted territory. Using an RWS 7 grain wadcutter 519fps is fine, but 520fps puts you over.

Mostly, the manufacturers rating is king, so if they say sub-500, then you're okay. If they use a super light pellet and say 575fps, then you're screwed. It won't be worth the effort to get the RCMP to see it any other way.
 
I bought a Benjamin trail NP instead of the pistol. I think it is rediculous that air air gun would be under the same restrictions as a real hand gun.
Funny thing is when I declared the rifle at the border the agent did not ask to see my pal or anything.
 
I just encountered this while I was Stateside for the weekend. The Crosman 1377 they sell in the U.S is rated @ 600fps...yet the same exact pistol here in Canada has been detuned to 495fps. Its funny how some of us airgun guys will spend and extra $100 on aftermarket parts to squeeze and extra 3-4fps out of a $70 Crosman 1377.....but the same exact unit in the States will rock a squirrels world right out of the box
 
sewktbk said:
All handguns are restricted, there is no such thing as an unrestricted handgun in Canada.

So, if your air pistol has both muzzle velocity and muzzle energy high enough to be considered a firearm, it is by definition restricted. There is no other option.

Keep in mind that as soon as it meets the definition of a firearm, it needs an FRT#. So if you are bringing in a gun that has never been reviewed by the RCMP/assigned an FRT#, it'll need to be sent to them for verification before you can legally own it.

That being said, I sense that you don't want to buy something that falls into the restricted category.
Click to expand...

I believe airguns are considered firearms, as they have a barrel and launch projectiles. The FPS and energy requirements simply place airguns either inside or outside the confines of the Firearms Act.

I have a Beretta PX4 Storm (airgun, made by Umarex). It is a pistol that is not restricted... it's "unregulated" (by the firearms act). It is still regulated by the criminal code, however, like if I used it in a robbery.

I think! Hah. Damn laws.
 
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