Which airgun can I legally own in Ontario?

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zepp_head

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I'm 23 years old, and possibly considering getting some type of airgun for hunting small game like squirrels, rabbits, small birds, etc. I'm not really wondering about the brand, as I think I would probably buy a GAMO. My question is what is the most powerful (or ideal for my planned use) airgun that I can legally own and use without a gun/hunting license, as well as any other technicalities that would go along with owning such a gun? I'm just not quite sure on the regulations on this type of stuff and needed to find out. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.
 
There are two general types of air guns (also known as BB guns, pellet guns, spring guns or air soft guns):

air (pneumatic system), and
spring (spring-air)

A third type, gas (CO2/nitrogen), even though they are not, strictly speaking, “air guns,” are subject to the same rules set out below. For purposes of the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code, air guns can be further divided into four categories:

1. Air guns that are firearms for purposes of both the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code

These are air guns with both a high muzzle velocity (greater than 152.4 metres or 500 feet per second) and a high muzzle energy (greater than 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot-pounds). The “muzzle velocity” is the speed of a projectile at the instant it leaves the muzzle of a gun, normally expressed in metres per second or feet per second. The “muzzle energy” is the energy of a projectile at the instant it leaves the muzzle of a gun, expressed in joules or foot-pounds. Air guns need to meet both standards to be classified as firearms for purposes of the Firearms Act.

These high-powered air guns are subject to the same licence and registration requirements as a conventional firearm. Owners and users are also required to store, transport, display and handle them safely in accordance with the regulations supporting the Firearms Act.

2. Air guns that meet the Criminal Code definition of a firearm, but are deemed not to be firearms for certain purposes of the Firearms Act and Criminal Code
(see link below for details)

3. Air guns that are replica firearms
(see link below for details)

4. Air guns that are neither firearms nor replicas
(see link below for details)
Click to expand...
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/PDF/air_gun-arme_air-eng.pdf

Firearms include rifles, shotguns, air or pellet guns, bows and crossbows. You may use semi-automatic or repeating firearms for hunting in Ontario, but not handguns that are restricted or prohibited firearms or fully automatic firearms. Air and pellet pistols with a muzzle velocity less than 152 metres (500 feet) per second may be used for hunting in Ontario (see restrictions on page 22).
Click to expand...
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@fw/documents/document/251888.pdf

If you're going to hunt, you need a hunting license. Plain and simple.
 
Thanks homie.

By the way, does anyone know if you can use a 22 caliber air gun to hunt without it being classed as a "weapon", or having some sort of classified regulations?
 
Also if you plan to hunt with it, I think you would need a small game license and adhere to the same rules that appy to all hunters. Regardless of airgun class. Though it sounds more like you just want to kill things, since you don't want to get your firearms or hunting license...
 
zepp_head said:
Thanks homie.

By the way, does anyone know if you can use a 22 caliber air gun to hunt without it being classed as a "weapon", or having some sort of classified regulations?
Click to expand...
1. I'm not your homie.
2. All the info you need is in those two links. A lot more info is all over this site if you search.
3. I suggest you take a firearms safety course as well as a hunter education course.
 
Listen to awndray.

"does anyone know if you can use a 22 caliber air gun to hunt without it being classed as a "weapon""

The .22 cal shooting below 500 fps is not a firearm.

If you' re asking if a non-PAL air rifle can be used to take small game, there are those who say you can on certain types/sizes of small game. My opinion is to get your PAL and small game license, and match your rifle to your quarry. You'll need to do some research on the limitation. For example, I would not remotely dare use what you've inquired on a groundhog or raccoon. Not anywhere near enough energy.
A .22 cal shooting closer to 500 fps may be able to take cottontails and squirrels at close range. Stick to head shots.
 
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you need a hunting license to hunt and get your PAL so you can buy something that can take down small game effectively,,like a 1000fps 22cal
 
If you are using it for varmit control you don't need a hunting licence. Rats, some birds, rabbits, cats, dogs, squirrels and anything else that is destroying your home,livestock or crop can be shot. If you are hunting them you will need a licence thou.
 
The nerve of some people coming here and stating their lack of experience and then asking for help, there ought to be a law. Well we sure told him.
 
Hey OP, what do you plan to shoot and why?
If you're sticking to lower power non PAL airguns, you'll find yourself limited. A nice airgun will a lot of accuracy (headshots on roadents) will have to make up for the lack of strength. If it's gotta be non-Pal, don't cheap out. And I'd try to make sure to be within 15 yards, as all of my sub 500fps airguns lose a lot of accuracy and strength really quickly.
If it's pest control (they're destroying your garden, eating into the walls, that kindof thing where they're a legitimate issue) I don't think you need a small game liscence, but your local CFO and MNR are far better resources that me. And if it's for use within a city boundary, you really should check local bylaws. Don't want people calling in reports of someone walking around with a gun. Personally I'd recommend against it to err on the side of caution, but perhaps you've got some demon squirrels I don't know about.
But if you want to go out and seek varmints to shoot for the heck of it, then I'm pretty sure you'll need a liscence. Not legal advice, but hopefully this is along the lines you were wondering. (Of course you could always get a hunting liscence and PAL to make the hunting option viable)
Cheers, Al
 
There is no caliber limit according to the law. So to get a powerful gun, try to find a .25 or even higher caliber, but the mv is less than 500 fps air rifle.
 
You can't hunt without a game tag, you can't get a game tag without a hunting license, you can't get a hunting license without your H1, you can't get your H1 without your PAL.

Get your PAL.
 
alfonzo1955 said:
You can't hunt without a game tag, you can't get a game tag without a hunting license, you can't get a hunting license without your H1, you can't get your H1 without your PAL.

Get your PAL.
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Not really... How about bow hunting? Are they all illegal?
I am not clear about Ontair, but in Alberta you can shoot a rabbit without a hunting license.
 
Sounds like the "what can I kill" thread that was in the Rimfire forum a while back...? To the OP~all you can do with the airgun you want to buy (making no effort to get your PAL or take a Hunter's Education course" is a sub-500fps air gun good for hunting pop cans. That's about it. If you want to hunt anything else, get yourself licensed, get an air rifle that will dispatch modest-sized quarry humanely (PAL-rated) and check with your local town office re: firearms discharge in town limits. Anything PAL-rated is considered a firearm by law (as far as I know) so the same rules, conversely...same penalties apply if you break the rules.
 
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