just a restricted arms question

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2legit

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Hey, I dont own restricted firearms for the fact I dont want to buy a range membership and am moving to Alberta. My question is if I were to purchase a used hand gun would I still need a range membership to own it? I am going to purchase some land and I want to be able to shoot guns on it. More importanly I want to own several hand guns and AR's and don't really have a need/want to buy a range membership.

sorry if it's clear as mud

thanks

Stu
 
Used or not, it is only legal to shoot restricted at an "approved" range.

It is technically not required to have a range membership to own a restricted, however, the CFO is not likely to approve the transfer without one.

Edit: QC legally requires a range membership, I believe.
 
Yes you need a membership. Some ranges offer a discounted fee membership sometimes called a associate membership so you can be a member who ownes restricted guns but doesn't get any perks. You cannot shoot restricted firearms on your land, it has to been done at an approved range. You can shoot non restricted firearms on your land (check local laws ).
 
You have to be a "member" of a range to buy a handgun. In Canada the only reason to own a handgun or other restricted (according to our laws) is for target practice and you can only shoot restricted guns at approved ranges. Just call around to different ranges a buy a membership at the cheapest one (maybe $50). Even if you own the land, you are not "legally" allowed to shoot restricted guns on it. I believe there are ways to have your land "deemed" a range by the CFO, but I'll leave that up to people more educated than me in that area.
 
Range Officer said:
Simple. No range membership, no handguns. That's how the law works.
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Not true from what I've learned talking to reps at the office of the CFO. For a long term ATT, definitely easier if you have a membership somewhere. However, collector status allows you to own restricted firearms without a membership at a range.

This might be irrelevant to the OP since he wishes to own/shoot handguns and AR's.

This, however, might be relevant. Very recently, someone I know was denied a restricted transfer in Alberta because of a lack of membership at an approved range. If you want a pistol for shooting, its just one of the hoops you have to jump through.
 
deadman said:
Not true from what I've learned talking to reps at the office of the CFO. For a long term ATT, definitely easier if you have a membership somewhere. However, collector status allows you to own restricted firearms without a membership at a range.

This might be irrelevant to the OP since he wishes to own/shoot handguns and AR's.

This, however, might be relevant. Very recently, someone I know was denied a restricted transfer in Alberta because of a lack of membership at an approved range. If you want a pistol for shooting, its just one of the hoops you have to jump through.
Click to expand...


Deadman is right, it's not a legal requirement. But it does seem to be a widely accepted bureaucratic requirement here and elsewhere. There is no law stating anything about club membership and handgun ownership. You can raise a stink about it and get your way if you really want to. At least one regular here has done it (AB or SK, can't remember).

There are two approved purposes for restricted firearm ownership in Canada: Target shooting and collecting. Nothing stopping you from declaring that your intended purpose is collecting for now and deciding to become a target shooter whenever you decide about the club issue later on.

If you're serious about shooting you should look in to building a range on your land and getting it approved by the CFO. Probably not cheap, and probably not quick, but it could be a good investment of time and money on your part. I wish more people would do this if they have the land available.
 
I figured I would have to get a membership. Where I am now range memberships are expensive as #### so I never wanted to get one when I can drive half hour and shoot safely for free. Ill have to have a look around Leduc area for ranges and see how much they charge.

Thanks again
 
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