Do I need a secondary photo ID besides my PAL to purchase non-restricted firearms/ammo online?

Metalock

Metalock

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I'm in B.C. for starters.

I got my PAL back in June and went to my local fishing/hunting store a couple weeks later to pick up a starter rifle and shotgun (both non-restricted), but they said they couldn't sell me anything without a secondary photo ID (driver's license, provincial ID, etc.) I had to renew both my driver's license and BC Services Card in June, so I'm currently on temporary interim paper IDs for both, neither of which have my photo or signature, and it can take up to 60 days for them to arrive because ICBC is experiencing delays. I do not hold a passport or any other photo IDs at the moment.

Is this actually a law under the CFP, or just a policy for that particular store? (I neglected to ask while I was there, but they seemed pretty confused themselves and had to text their boss multiple times) I looked at the RCMP's web site and it wasn't very clear, either. If I purchase a firearm online (I was looking at G4C), will they or Canada Post (or whichever courier it may be) ask for a copy of a second photo ID besides my PAL? G4C's FAQ section says they only require PAL info and date of birth for non-restricted firearms.

I was planning on shooting skeet and going to the rifle range with my co-workers this summer, but at the same time I don't want to make a mistake and screw myself by not having the proper identification whilst making a purchase. Would it be better to just wait?

Additionally, would this be an issue for signing into facilities? I already signed up for my local Fish & Game Association prior to renewing my IDs, but I'm pretty sure they need a photo ID to sign-in.
 
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The process for NR firearm transfers is based on the federal law. The relevant part came into effect on May 18, 2022. This link describes the process based on the law: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/buying-and-selling-transferring-firearms

Many people are not happy.

Retailers have their policies that vary from compliance in full to complying mostly. Expect to provide the photo of PAL and the secondary ID with a photo. The secondary ID is issued at the federal (e.g. passport), provincial (driver's license) or municipal level (no idea).
 
I’ve never shown my PAL to a courier or Canada Post. Some posties will ask for id when you pick up any parcel,if they don’t know you. Usually a government id with pic on it. Stores are being extra careful when you order and ask for a corroborating piece of id. I just had to send 2 ids for a rifle barrel.
 
Within the past week I bought a new rifle on-line at Cabela's.ca - there was perhaps four or five boxes where I had to provide the email address that CFP has for me, and to copy some information from my PAL card - they did not request a picture or scan of my PAL and there was no mention about any secondary ID, at all. The next morning, I got an email from the CFP to log into their system to get a message - another "transfer number" - that brings total to 20 transfer numbers issued so far - 6 are still valid - the rifle arrived here in Manitoba the day before yesterday - I actually received it before the charge was shown as "Posted" to my VISA card, although it was showing as an "Authorized Charge".
 
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Thanks for the swift replies, everyone! Sounds like I will have to wait unless I can rent/borrow. I don't want to mess around when it comes to the law.
 
Are you legally required to? No.
However some retailers will ask for a second ID for online purchases, this helps them with two main items, making sure your ID matches the PAL, and the PAL is not stolen, and that the shipping address is the same as the Govt ID.
It is just done to prevent fraud/scams.

As for Canada post/package carrier, they wont ask you anything, they don't know what is in the box, proof of 18+ or signature may be requested depending on the options chosen by the shipper, or if you are picking up from a local PO that is holding your package for you, and you only have a door slip. Even in the case of a door slip, PAL is not required, just a ID to show proof of address
 
When I bought a NR from a store. They only ask the information that needs to enter to issue the reference number. No copy of my PAL or DL.

45CAT said:
I’ve never shown my PAL to a courier or Canada Post. Some posties will ask for id when you pick up any parcel,if they don’t know you. Usually a government id with pic on it. Stores are being extra careful when you order and ask for a corroborating piece of id. I just had to send 2 ids for a rifle barrel.
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Mainly looking for if the address matches. I bought a game from Walmart, the lady was training another cashier. It popped up 18+... The trainer was like I can assume he's over 18 as he's got a full board that partially grey.
 
brownbear53 said:
Are you legally required to? No.
However some retailers will ask for a second ID for online purchases, this helps them with two main items, making sure your ID matches the PAL, and the PAL is not stolen, and that the shipping address is the same as the Govt ID.
It is just done to prevent fraud/scams.

As for Canada post/package carrier, they wont ask you anything, they don't know what is in the box, proof of 18+ or signature may be requested depending on the options chosen by the shipper, or if you are picking up from a local PO that is holding your package for you, and you only have a door slip. Even in the case of a door slip, PAL is not required, just a ID to show proof of address
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That bolded part is always problematic - none of my Gov't issued ID, with a picture of me, has my mailing address on it. My Manitoba Driver Licence has my picture, but shows the land location of my house, which is NOT a Canada Post mailing address - is actually a Manitoba law that one's DL must list your house location, not your mailing address. Might make total sense if you live in a city and get home mail delivery - chances good that your street address is also your mailing address - not sure for millions of square miles of Canada, though (hundreds of thousands of Canadians in same situation). As far as I know, it is the billing address on the VISA card that they can run to confirm whether they are shipping to my mailing address, if they care at all where they were told to mail it, after it was paid for. In the past 10 years there has never been any courier, of any colour, that has found their way out here, so shipping by courier is simply not an option for us - it has to be mailed to my Post Office box number, or couriered to a street address of a store in town (which is NOT where I live, and that is NOT my mailing address, nor the billing address for my VISA account), or I do not buy it.

To further make that convoluted - over the years I have sold rifles that the Buyer gave me a Canada Post Flex Delivery address - same Post Office Box number - but different cities - Whitehorse, Yukon; Calgary, Alta; etc. So, as I understand how that works - the parcel never does get taken to their home by Canada Post - that parcel is held at a Canada Post facility until someone shows up with the appropriate pass code that was created when the Flex Delivery arrangement was created - is NO cost to do that, but does require going to a particular Post Office facility to pick up your parcels - that way, they are NOT left sitting on porch or where-ever - up to receiver when he/she goes gets it. I have never used it myself, but I have mailed guns several times to people who had that set up for various home purchases, not just guns.
 
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I’ve never had to provide a secondary form of ID while making in store purchases but had to many times while doing purchases online however some places don’t ask for additional ID so not really sure?
 
I just bought two rifles from out west. Never had to send any pictures of ID. I tried buying a scope from Quebec and they wanted pictures of my ID. I found the scope cheaper at another site sponser, Fontier which I ended up by a second one from also. Providing pictures is a store policy.
 
Bought a rifle from Cabelas, never again. They want your pal (understandable) driver’s license, stool and semen sample, iris recognition and the names and addresses of your last 5 ###ual partners. Ridiculous. Prophet River on the other hand just want pal# and some #### pics…I can live with that 🫣:love::ROFLMAO:
 
johnl said:
Bought a rifle from Cabelas, never again. They want your pal (understandable) driver’s license, stool and semen sample, iris recognition and the names and addresses of your last 5 ###ual partners. Ridiculous. Prophet River on the other hand just want pal# and some #### pics…I can live with that 🫣:love::ROFLMAO:
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Then maybe give you the combo to the locks.
 
johnl said:
Bought a rifle from Cabelas, never again. They want your pal (understandable) driver’s license, stool and semen sample, iris recognition and the names and addresses of your last 5 ###ual partners. Ridiculous. Prophet River on the other hand just want pal# and some #### pics…I can live with that 🫣:love::ROFLMAO:
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Maybe this is your local store thing, bought a few stuff from them before ( including firearms, either online or instore ) and they just want the PAL and Driver License.
 
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