Newbie to Canada

shane_tactical1

shane_tactical1

New member
Location
Calgary
Hi guys,

I have only been in Calgary, Canada for about a year and haven’t got to do any shooting as of yet out here.
I used to live in the UK and the firearms laws make it impossible to shoot handguns on British shores.
I used to sell body armour and tactical equipment in the UK and before moving out to Canada I was the UK distributor for the American Small Arms Academy, which is run by Ex Ranger Chuck Taylor.
I got to go out to Switzerland and was taught how to shoot Tactically, both Handguns and assault rifles.
Im looking into going through the necessary steps so that i can own prohibited weapons such as handguns (I would especially like to get either a Sig 226 or Glock 17) out here.
Im in the process of setting up a new company like i ran in England and it will be beneficial to my business to be able to demonstrate that the armour, for example an NIJ Level IIIA vest, will stand up to being blasted with a .44 magnum or a 9mm submachine gun.

Any advise on how to get started with regards to doing the necessary safety courses etc and what forms are required and any advise on any good gun clubs in the area would be great.

Cheers,

Shane
 
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Welcome aboard!

You will need to take the course OR challenge the exams, I am guessing if you get the book it would be better the challenge since you seem to have a good working knowledge of firearms.

The Shooting Edge here in Calgary is one of the better places to go, they have course just about every weekend and also a place where you can take the exams to get your PAL license.

While your undertaking that, you can scout around for a good "club" as a range membership is not enough now to get a restricted firearm. There are several in Calgary and surrounding area....

I belong to the BTSA but the range has limited hours and is not used much in the winter...

This forum is the place to get acquainted and check things out.
 
Hi Uwish,
Thanks for the welcome and advice. I will be sure to check out the Shooting Edge.
I have seen road signs for what i believe is a shooting range
"Calgary Firearms Centre".
 
The Shooting Edge is the place to go... In Canada you need a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) in order to purchase guns. To get the PAL, you will need to write an exam for non-restricted firearms, and then another one for restricted firearms (to own handguns and certain rifles). Once you've passed the exams, you complete an application and send it to the Canada Firearm Centre. Most of the time, the application forms are made available by the instructors that teach the firearms courses. Waiting times vary, but I think 10 to 14 weeks is normal.

P.S. I am a relocated Brit also.... from Leicester originally.
 
Thanks for the advice Unc.
The guy i used to run my old company with in England was orginally from Leicester. I went up there with him a couple of times.
Im from Essex.
 
You may need a [SIZE=-1]Police Clearance Certificate from England in order to apply for a PAL. Check into that. It may safe you time!:)

Cheers

Martin [/SIZE]
 
Hi Shane,
I left the UK in '91 then worked in Saudi until 2005 when I moved my family here. I had a FAC in the UK and wanted to take up the sport here. I thought that I would have to wait until I had citizenship until I was allowed to apply for a PAL but some of the guys here set me straight. Watching Paul Martin propose a handgun ban spurred me into action and I haven't stopped yet.

If you have a Permenant Resident Card (PRC) then send a copy of this with your PAL & RPAL application as it will act as police clearance from any country that you have lived in for more than 6 months.

Welcome aboard and please give some serious thought to getting a membership in the CSSA or NFA if you don't want to end up like the UK.

P.S. missing the Essex girls yet?
 
Hi Tenexx,
I am in the process of acquiring my perm citizenship at the moment.
I have just been looking on the CFC website today. As you have said you can apply for a PAL without being a citizen so im going to go ahead and apply for that. It said something about doing a couple of safety courses as well so going to look into that a bit more (I think that is what Uwish was saying in his post).

I think it would be crazy for them to have the same or similar bans as we have had in the UK. Gun crime is no different in the UK since the ban, in fact it’s probably worse. London, is terrible for gun violence.
When I was over in Switzerland, which has a similar population to London i believe, I saw guys of all ages walking around with Sig Commandos over their shoulders and no one battered an eyelid. Their gun crime is exceptionally low. Everyone does mandatory national service and they are given an assault rifle and a box of 5.56 ammo. I liked that. They respected guns out there and realise that its the person behind the gun that is the killer and not the weapon itself.
You take a gun away from a nutter he will just find another means to get or do what he wants.
I used to also find a law on body armour quite funny in some states in the US. "Its illegal to commit a crime wearing a bulletproof vest" Surely if you are commiting a crime in the first place you arent going to care about that law?

Not missing the Essex girls. I have got myself a Canadian gf. Much nicer lol. She is just as feisty but has more class.

Take it easy and thanks for the help,

Shane
 
shane_tactical1 said:
"Its illegal to commit a crime wearing a bulletproof vest" Surely if you are commiting a crime in the first place you arent going to care about that law?
Click to expand...
Just another charge they throw at you to make the offence sound worse.
Robbery, Plus 5 firearms possession offences, Plus body armor offences = 6 lesser charges to bargain away for a plea for the initial charge of robbery.
Welcome to Canada. Hopefully you like our beer better :)
 
shane_tactical1 said:
I have just been looking on the CFC website today. As you have said you can apply for a PAL without being a citizen so im going to go ahead and apply for that. It said something about doing a couple of safety courses as well so going to look into that a bit more (I think that is what Uwish was saying in his post).
Click to expand...

You will need to do the Canadian firearms safety courses for the Non Restricted (Long Guns) and Restricted (Handguns and Evil Black Rifles:D ). Both Courses have textbooks and their are videos online at the CFC to illustrate some of the points. Calgary has some great Gunshops and ranges do aquaint yourself with them, you will not be dissapointed. Once you sit and pass the PAL & RPAL exams you will have to wait about a month to get your license.
During this time you should look into secure storeage for your toys. Many of us have Costco safes which tun to $400 approx and are a good deal for the price. Once your license arrives you can start aquiring your toys but it is a good idea to have lined up a club to join as when you want to start aquring restricteds you will need to get an Authorization To Transport (ATT) which allows you to take the restricteds to authorized ranges. The rules in Alberta may be slightly different than here in Ontario but an ATT is needed nonetheless. After that; be safe and enjoy!

Despite being a Sweaty Sock I used to have a girlfriend from Leigh-On-Sea and still have a friend in Saffron Walden hence the Essex girl remarks. Good to be on this side of the pond, though, innit?
 
Welcome to Calgary, shane_tactical1. We are having a little get-together this Friday at the Black Swan on Mcleod Trail and just south of Southland Drive at around 7:00PM. Come on down and introduce yourself if you have a chance. I hear spi will have a nifty sign for us! :D
 
Jarlath: I don’t really drink alcohol.:eek: shocking i know..... I used to be a fitness freak (say used to as I have barely trained in the gym since i have been in Canada) and actually prefer a protein shake to a beer. Although at Christmas I did have a couple, I didn’t get Canadian though im afraid. I got Stella Artois or wife beater as it is better known in England.

Tenexx: Whereabouts in Leigh-on-sea was she from? I lived in Westcliff-on-sea right next door to Leigh-on-sea before I came out here. I was born in that area and I still have family living in Leigh-on-sea as well.

Maple: Im going to see if I can talk my girlfriend into going. Hopefully we will be able to make it down. Thanks for the invite :)


 
Welcome to Canada, Shane!:wave: :canadaFlag:

when I was training, I generally preferred a protein shake to a beer too. However, you can't beat a nice cold Sleeman's Draught in the bottle.
I know, I know, you Limey's like drinking them warm.:D

Cheers!

Gary
 
Where in Esssex are you from ? I originate from South Woodford. It's East London now, but when I was born it was Essex.
Used to go to Leigh on Sea lots as a kid and play in the 'sand'.
Shoot IPSC or CAS and well probably meet.
Regards
TJ
 
Gawd Blimey Guv........I'm from Whitstable, and used to watch you lot across the Estuary from the posh side of the coast!

Welcome aboard.

Have fun in Calgary...........Loads er work, loads of shooting oppurtunities...........and that view!!!!!
 
best to check out SHOOTING EDGE-it's just a little off the blackfoot at 77 ave s.e.- that way you're not roaming all over the prairie wasting gas or petrol, as you have it- i even had trouble finding the shepard range the first time i went, and i've been here 40 years- plus you can rent your pistol at the range, so you can get a feel for what you prefer either auto or revolver- most of the time except for the weekends it's fairly quiet and it's indoors- i've been at the shepard when it's been real muddy , which is no fun when you're going downrange to patch- there's a couple of more ranges as well - up west of the airport- just off 68st and about 11ave n.e. and one out at sibbald flats if you care to drive that far- the calgary firearms centre is the old calgary trap and skeet, which is SHOTGUN ONLY and not what you're looking for- they had me fooled with the new name , that's all, so don't waste your time
 
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I am an immigrant and did not need any police clearance to get a PAL, although I lived in Canada for 6 years before applying and that might have been a factor.

You cannot get your hands on any prohibs - alas :( For that you'd have to be grandfothered and you are not. We are screwed.
 
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