So how do I buy a handgun in Sask?

[sask3500]

I've had a rpal for 20plus years and I'm finally interested in buying a handgun. Do I actually have to join a gun club to buy one? How does a transfer work if I buy one off the exchange here? Anyone have the time to patiently type out the basics for someone who hasn't bothered to see if this has been covered in a million threads already? Thanks.

 

[Standardvel]

Yes on the gun club unless you state you are a collector but that comes with other issues. To buy privately you and seller make deal give rpal details to seller, seller calls Canadian firearms centre to initiate transfer he will get a reference number, then you will call CFC with the reference number and RPAL info to complete transfer. Once the transfer is completed and the registration certificate is in your name seller ships handgun. Timeline varies between provinces.

 

[sask3500]

What do you mean by other issues?

 

[Wendell]

For most people, the simplest path is via 'target shooting', and most target shooters need a place to shoot, so some provinces require a 'target shooter' to prove current membership in an 'approved shooting club'. For some people who are highly motivated, 'collection' might be an option. It comes with issues, many issues, too many to explain to an unmotivated person. A highly motivated person, for example, will have already read the Firearms Act and all of it's regulations, carefully, and while doing so would have noted the various issues involved with being a bonafide 'collector'. An unmotivated person would never read the Firearms Act, much less it's regulations, so they'd never know. For them, there's always 'target shooting'.

Firearms Act (S.C. 1995, c. 39)
<https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.6/index.html>

 

[Ganderite]

Buy the gun. The seller will give you a reference number for the transfer process. Call the Feds at 1 800 731-4000 #1 #4 #2 and give the nice lady your reference number. She will complete the transfer and email you the paperwork, when it is done. (If you giver your email address and ask for this service.)

The seller then mails you your gun.

 

[Standardvel]

What do you mean by other issues?

I believe there is inspection and storage checks. I’m not a collector, but I am sure the differences between target shooter and collector are spelled out in the regulations.

 

[harrry]

Call the CFO if you need more clarity.

 

[buckhunter78]

With all the regulations and bs. Might be easier to stand on the corner with a small sign saying what you want. If its anything like Vancouver or Surrey you will have what you want in no time. That way your government will never come and try and take it.

 

[chillyrabbit]

CFO doesn't know anything. You're more likely to get a phone operator who can't dispense legal advice.

Legally how to transfer a Restricted firearm from the Firearms Act

Authorization to transfer prohibited or restricted firearms

23.2 (1) A person may transfer a prohibited firearm or a restricted firearm if, at the time of the transfer,

(a) the transferee (Buyer) holds a licence authorizing the transferee to acquire and possess that kind of firearm;

(b) the transferor (Seller) has no reason to believe that the transferee is not authorized to acquire and possess that kind of firearm;

(c) the transferor (Seller) informs the Registrar of the transfer;

(d) if the transferee (Buyer) is an individual, the transferor (seller) informs a chief firearms officer of the transfer and obtains the authorization of the chief firearms officer for the transfer;

(e) a new registration certificate for the firearm is issued in accordance with this Act; and

(f) the prescribed conditions are met.

To possess and acquire a restricted firearm you must have a valid reason per s.27-28

Chief firearms officer

27 On being informed of a proposed transfer of a prohibited firearm or restricted firearm under section 23.2, a chief firearms officer shall

(a) verify

(i) whether the transferee or individual holds a licence,

(ii) whether the transferee or individual is still eligible to hold that licence, and

(iii) whether the licence authorizes the transferee or individual to acquire that kind of firearm or to acquire prohibited weapons, prohibited devices, ammunition or prohibited ammunition, as the case may be;

(b) in the case of a proposed transfer of a restricted firearm or a handgun referred to in subsection 12(6.1) (pre-December 1, 1998 handguns), verify the purpose for which the transferee or individual wishes to acquire the restricted firearm or handgun and determine whether the particular restricted firearm or handgun is appropriate for that purpose;

(c) decide whether to approve the transfer and inform the Registrar of that decision; and

(d) take the prescribed measures.

1995, c. 39, s. 272003, c. 8, s. 202012, c. 6, s. 13
Previous Version
Marginal noteermitted purposes

28 A chief firearms officer may approve the transfer to an individual of a restricted firearm or a handgun referred to in subsection 12(6.1) (pre-December 1, 1998 handguns) only if the chief firearms officer is satisfied

(a) that the individual needs the restricted firearm or handgun

(i) to protect the life of that individual or of other individuals, or

(ii) for use in connection with his or her lawful profession or occupation; or

(b) that the purpose for which the individual wishes to acquire the restricted firearm or handgun is

(i) for use in target practice, or a target shooting competition, under conditions specified in an authorization to transport or under the auspices of a shooting club or shooting range that is approved under section 29, or

(ii) to form part of a gun collection of the individual, in the case of an individual who satisfies the criteria described in section 30.

Legally there is no requirement that one must be a member of a shooting range to acquire/possess restricted firearms (Quebec is weird with Law 9). But you do need to satisfy the CFO that you are acquiring it for a lawful purpose; target shooting or collecting.

Acquiring a R firearm for target shooting grants you an Automatic ATT to CFO approved ranges in your province, and an ATT to transport your R firearm from the place of acquisition to your home.

Acquiring a R firearm for collecting only grants you an ATT to transport your R firearm from the place of acquisition to your home. If you wish to transport it to a range you must apply for an ATT individually.

If you are a declared collector you pre-consent to Firearms Act Inspections, which means they can inspect your storage without a warrant but only periodically in a reasonable manner. (night inspections never, and having 5 a year is also not "reasonable" but it has a lot of latitude)

Note: You are automatically authorized to store your R firearm at the address you have on file, if you wish to store it somewhere else you need to ask the CFO for authorization.

Places where prohibited and restricted firearms may be possessed

17 Subject to sections 19 and 20, a prohibited firearm or restricted firearm, the holder of the registration certificate for which is an individual, may be possessed only at the dwelling-house of the individual, as recorded in the Canadian Firearms Registry, or at a place authorized by a chief firearms officer.

Gun collectors

30 The criteria referred to in subparagraph 28(b)(ii) are that the individual

(a) has knowledge of the historical, technological or scientific characteristics that relate or distinguish the restricted firearms or handguns that he or she possesses;

(b) has consented to the periodic inspection, conducted in a reasonable manner, of the premises in which the restricted firearms or handguns are to be kept; and

(c) has complied with such other requirements as are prescribed respecting knowledge, secure storage and the keeping of records in respect of restricted firearms or handguns.

Now that we covered the legal issues, here is the practical way of acquiring an R firearm.

1. Buying from a Store

Go online or a store and pick what R firearm you want, pay for it.
The store will start the transfer, as they are trusted to not transfer R firearms willy nilly you do not need to call in to confirm a transfer
The CFO will ask you via snail mail what your purpose for acquiring an R firearm is; Collecting or Target shooting.
You provide your purpose, with back up information; Collecting why you need that firearm, Target shooting (range membership is the easiest fastest option to be approved, otherwise say you are going to use a drop in range and push back against an unwritten rule)
CFO will make a decision on your transfer, they will then let you know if it's approved or denied
Once approved you have a one-time ATT to pick up your firearm from place of acquisition (store or post office) it must be transported home.
Wait for your registration certificate to arrive from the Registrar, your ATT conditions require you to possess a registration certificate when transporting your R firearm (you don't physically need it, but it saves you a lot of trouble as the police can seize firearms if you can't produce a certificate for them to see when transporting, then you have to deal with getting it from the police station)

2. Buying from a person

The only extra step is that you need to verify that a firearm is being transferred to you. The seller will initiate a transfer with the CFO, they get a reference number which they give to you. You call the CFP with the reference number and verify the firearm and your details to confirm that you are transferring a firearm in your name. Follow the same steps as above.

Also ask to be emailed whenever possible as otherwise they mail you information via snail mail.

 

[powerbaitron]

Do you still need a paper ATT to take the pistol to an approved range? Or did they get rid of that? Is it still included on your RPAL?

 

[sask3500]

Wendell: Thanks for the hint to read the relevant Acts. I've been doing so the last few evenings. Also your subtle sarcasm was superb, I appreciate it.

 

[sask3500]

Generally speaking, what's the CFO for Saskatchewan like to deal with? There seem to be some whiny threads from Ontario and British Columbia, is that the case nationwide?

 

[M1-Garand]

My experience has been very positive, transfer usually within a few days as long as you have a range membership.

 

[griffin86]

Generally speaking, what's the CFO for Saskatchewan like to deal with? There seem to be some whiny threads from Ontario and British Columbia, is that the case nationwide?

The new one is considerably better than the old Federal CFO. They bent over backwards trying to help me this fall.

If you want a cheap range membership, I can sell you one for $30 + SWF membership.