New to Canada but not to firearms

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MK12

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Hi,


The company that I work for is relocating me to Canada on a temporary 2 year assignment. I've done a good deal of research but my situation is a bit different since I am not exactly an immigrant but an American going to Canada on a semi-temporary assignment.

I looked through my safe and the only gun in your non-restricted category would be my 18.5" Benelli M4 semi-automatic shotgun.

As a temporary inhabitant, non-immigrant, non Canadian citizen, am I allowed to apply for a "PAL" or some sort of possession license? I would like to take my Benelli M4 so I have something to shoot on the weekends :redface:. I don't intend to carry it in my vehicle or have it in my home for "home defense" like those rowdy Americans, I understand that's frowned upon in Canada.

I'm not in a rush, I don't necessary have to bring a gun with me as I enter Canada but my situation is a bit confusing :confused:.

Thanks
 
1ABNDT said:
Welcome MK12, here is the link to the RCMP website that runs the firearms program here in Canada.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms

There are also many knowledgeable persons on CGN, so if you have any other questions fire away! :) Enjoy your stay.
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Thanks, I've looked through that before. I didn't intend for information to be spoon fed to me but I am soooo confused. The information on the RCMP site is very clear if I was a Canadian permanently living in Canada, an American driving through Canada to get to Alaska or an American going there on a hunting trip. The pro-cess;) is pretty straight forward for those cases, but since I will be in Canada for a few years while not intending to emigrate there, my situation is a bit different.
 
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MK12, welcome to Kanada, Get your PAL and LTATT now you can legally break the law. Get a good club membership, even the provincial association of the DCRA, that gives you options. Bring lots of guns, buy some while you're here.
 
morggun said:
MK12, welcome to Kanada, Get your PAL and LTATT now you can legally break the law. Get a good club membership, even the provincial association of the DCRA, that gives you options. Bring lots of guns, buy some while you're here.
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I have no intention of breaking the law. While I would never go without firearms in my own country, I will respect the laws in the host country(Canada).

What is an LTATT?

As far as buying guns while I'm in Canada, I have all the guns I need back home. The only guns that spark curiousity up here are guns that are unavailable in The US because of import laws and handguns that are sought after back home, such as old Colt 1911's.
 
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Welcome!
Hope you get it all sorted out.

I think with the current exchange rate you can get an SKS for about 2 cups of coffee!
Ive heard those are a little harder to come by state side. (of course our are pinned to 5...)
 
MK12 said:
Thanks, I've looked through that before. I didn't intend for information to be spoon fed to me but I am soooo confused. The information on the RCMP site is very clear if I was a Canadian permanently living in Canada, an American driving through Canada to get to Alaska or an American going there on a hunting trip. The pro-cess;) is pretty straight forward for those cases, but since I will be in Canada for a few years while not intending to emigrate there, my situation is a bit different.
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Call the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) run by RCMP and speak to a couple of people about your situation: 1-800-731-4000.

"A couple of people" just to make sure they provide the same info.
 
Thanks, will do. If that doesn't work I'll have to speak to a good attorney. In my country, gun shops and gun clubs are terrible places to get information on gun laws so I was under the impression the same was the case in Canada.
 
Hi MK12,

Please take the following with a grain of salt, it's not official or comprehensive advice (in other words, I could be wrong on some points), but I thought it might point you towards answers and clarity. I also echo what other posters have said: In case of doubt, call the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 and ask.

Here's a link that I think will be an easier summary of the regulations concerning your situation: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/non-residents . That page is directly from the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program.

Whether you need a PAL or not for a non-restricted firearm depends on how long you are visiting or staying. If it's a visit shorter than 60 days, you arrive at the border with your non-restricted firearm and a filled in (but not signed) Non-Resident Firearms Declaration; that acts as a license up to 60 days. Oh yes: always always always always declare firearms at the border, otherwise bad things happen. You'll have to familiarize yourself with all regulations, but as a primer, ensure you're aware of storage and transport regulations, see: http://www.rcmp.gc.ca/en/firearms/storing-transporting-and-displaying-firearms

On the other hand, if you'll be visiting for longer than 60 days or moving to Canada, you'll need to apply for your Possession & Acquisition License (PAL).

To your question, you do not need to be a resident to apply for a PAL, a non-resident can indeed have a PAL. Probably the most onerous thing you'll need to do is to take required safety course http://www.rcmp.gc.ca/en/firearms/firearms-safety (or 2 safety courses if you want for a PAL restricted firearms as well).

Welcome north and good luck on your assignment, hope some of this might be helpful.
 
Northto said:
Hi MK12,

Please take the following with a grain of salt, it's not official or comprehensive advice (in other words, I could be wrong on some points), but I thought it might point you towards answers and clarity. I also echo what other posters have said: In case of doubt, call the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 and ask.

Here's a link that I think will be an easier summary of the regulations concerning your situation: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/non-residents . That page is directly from the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program.

Whether you need a PAL or not for a non-restricted firearm depends on how long you are visiting or staying. If it's a visit shorter than 60 days, you arrive at the border with your non-restricted firearm and a filled in (but not signed) Non-Resident Firearms Declaration; that acts as a license up to 60 days. Oh yes: always always always always declare firearms at the border, otherwise bad things happen. You'll have to familiarize yourself with all regulations, but as a primer, ensure you're aware of storage and transport regulations, see: http://www.rcmp.gc.ca/en/firearms/storing-transporting-and-displaying-firearms

On the other hand, if you'll be visiting for longer than 60 days or moving to Canada, you'll need to apply for your Possession & Acquisition License (PAL).

To your question, you do not need to be a resident to apply for a PAL, a non-resident can indeed have a PAL. Probably the most onerous thing you'll need to do is to take required safety course http://www.rcmp.gc.ca/en/firearms/firearms-safety (or 2 safety courses if you want for a PAL restricted firearms as well).

Welcome north and good luck on your assignment, hope some of this might be helpful.
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Thank you very much. So far this has been the most help I've received so far.

Do I need refrences to acquire a PAL? Does my employer need to be notified when I acquire a PAL?
 
MK12 said:
Thank you very much. So far this has been the most help I've received so far.

Do I need refrences to acquire a PAL? Does my employer need to be notified when I acquire a PAL?
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Your employer I don't think so but you will need reference to vouch for you. Also witch province are you moving in? As some province have different regulation. Here in New-brunswick the whole province is considered a wild life sanctuary or something like that so you need a range membership to go to the range or a hunting license to have a firearm with you. So no random plinking in the woods
 
As someone who is new to Canada there is no way I will be getting refrences for a PAL. At first all acquitances will be work connected. With all due respect, I will make sure to go home as soon as I can.

My job is in Manitoba.
 
MK12 said:
As someone who is new to Canada there is no way I will be getting refrences for a PAL. At first all acquitances will be work connected. With all due respect, I will make sure to go home as soon as I can.

My job is in Manitoba.
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I dont see why your two references would have to be Canadians. Just two people who have known you for at least 2 years, so Americans. And sometimes, they dont bother to call references.
There are some very helpful tips on the "Newbie Faq" thread which will help to expedite the process of applying for a PAL.

Alternatively, 90% of Canadians live within driving distance of the border. If your contract is in Winnipeg, maybe you could keep your Iron stateside and go use it on a day off.
Also, you dont need a PAL for flintlocks (Cabelas in Winnipeg offers several, cash and carry) or certain firearms manufactured before 1897, including pistols.
Good luck, and cherish your 2A.
 
MK12 said:
Thank you very much. So far this has been the most help I've received so far.

Do I need refrences to acquire a PAL? Does my employer need to be notified when I acquire a PAL?
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My pleasure, MK12. I think you'll get the best idea of specifics by reading the PAL application form and its instructions directly, here: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/3615/original/dd2a057ccbde46fec1d35c18a8f41255.pdf

A couple of specific things to point out:
  • You need two references who have known you for more than three years, and they do not have to be Canadian.
  • No, there is no requirement that your employer be notified. However, in this vein, your spouse must sign off (including anyone who became an ex-spouse in the last two years) that they are aware you are applying; in absence of their signature on your PAL application, the RCMP has a duty to contact them.
  • As a non-Canadian resident, you'll need a Letter of Good Conduct from your local police department.
  • Beyond the admin steps above, you'll need to do the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. Here's how you go about finding an instructor / course: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/find-an-instructor. Now, I'm not sure, but I believe that it may be possible just to get and study the course materials, then write the exam without taking the course itself (known as challenging the exam); suggest you call the Manitoba CFO per web page above, explain your situation, and ask if it is possible to challenge the exam and how this works.
 
Northto said:
My pleasure, MK12. I think you'll get the best idea of specifics by reading the PAL application form and its instructions directly, here: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/3615/original/dd2a057ccbde46fec1d35c18a8f41255.pdf

A couple of specific things to point out:
  • You need two references who have known you for more than three years, and they do not have to be Canadian.
  • No, there is no requirement that your employer be notified. However, in this vein, your spouse must sign off (including anyone who became an ex-spouse in the last two years) that they are aware you are applying; in absence of their signature on your PAL application, the RCMP has a duty to contact them.
  • As a non-Canadian resident, you'll need a Letter of Good Conduct from your local police department.
  • Beyond the admin steps above, you'll need to do the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. Here's how you go about finding an instructor / course: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/find-an-instructor. Now, I'm not sure, but I believe that it may be possible just to get and study the course materials, then write the exam without taking the course itself (known as challenging the exam); suggest you call the Manitoba CFO per web page above, explain your situation, and ask if it is possible to challenge the exam and how this works.
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I am not married and never have been.

The letter of good conduct must come from the city where I currently live or the city in Canada that I will be living in?

Does the PAL take longer to acquire than the RPAL?
 
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MK12 said:
The letter of good conduct must come from the city where I currently live or the city in Canada that I will be living in?

Does the PAL take longer to acquire than the RPAL?
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Regarding the letter of good conduct, it's pretty clearly spelled out on the PAL application form at the link I sent you above:

New Canadian Residents
If you have been a resident of Canada for less than 5 years, you must obtain a letter of good conduct issued by the local or state police of your previous country of residence.

Non-Residents of Canada
If you are a non-resident of Canada, you must obtain a letter of good conduct issued by your local or state police.


Not sure whether an RPAL takes longer; I believe that RPALs receive more scrutiny and manual attention, but I can't substantiate this or comment on whether the processing time is longer. Others may be able to comment.
 
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