newshot, here is my point of few, and I can only speak for myself.
Getting a PAL in Canada is very simple. All you need is a clean record, a five dollar book and a bit common sense. So - you go out and write your exam - pass - and still know nothing about guns, shooting or laws.
As a responsible person (and I consider myself as a responsible person), I start to collect information. The way to do it in the 21st century is - the internet, one of the forums.
Many questions seem to be dumb or silly for an experienced shooter - but for newbies like me they are essential. Don't get me wrong, I am shooting for years - but not in this country.
I passed both PAL-exams in the high 90 percent - but still was not 100 percent sure if a 22 lr handgun is restricted - and if I can shoot it like a non-restricted rifle on crown land.
It's not my intention to make shooters look bad - I want to be one! I just want to cover all grounds, make sure I am not making a mistake in purchasing and handling weapons in a country, where I live for just 5 years now.
Picture yourself in, let's say - Germany. How hard will it be to get a gun licence? Where can you shoot? How do they classify weapons? And so on, and so on. In case you live there one day )or anywhere else in the world) - I bet you will join an internet forum and ask questions....... so do I!
Have a nice day,
Jan