How to get a firearm license in Canada

Overview

To buy or legally own a firearm in Canada, you need to receive a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) for short.

PAL - allows the legal purchase and possession of firearms in Canada.

To Apply for PAL, you should be of age 18 and over.

PAL in Canada is valid for 5 years.

Firearms in Canada

Firearm licensing in Canada is regulated by the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) In accordance with the Firearm Act

Firearms in Canada, a classified as:

Non-restricted - most of the long barrel rifles and shotguns. This firearm class has the least restrictions on transportation and storage.

[Restricted](/products?searchText=searchText=firemarms pistol restricted&inStock=true&priceFrom=200) - most handguns. The restricted class has more restrictions on storage and transportation, at the time handguns in Canada can be transported only to 3 places: stores, gunsmiths, and shooting ranges.

Prohibited - short barrel handguns and automatic firearms this is a special class, not available to most Canadians.

An exception is a process called grandfathering for firearms that a prohibited at the time but were legally acquired in the past.

How to receive a PAL

  1. The first step in applying for PAL is to pass a Canadian Firearm Safety test.
  2. There are two firearm safety tests in Canada.
  3. First for the non-restricted firearms class - the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) test.
  4. And second for restricted firearms class, Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) test.
  5. We advise you to take both tests and apply for non-restricted and restricted PAL categories at the same time.

The simplest way to pass a Firearm Safety test is to take a Canadian Firearms Safety Course.

Just search in your area for:

  • Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)
  • Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC)

Or contact the Canadian Firearm Program to register for a Firearm Safety Course

Preparing

To prepare for a firearm safety test, you can use the Canadian Firearm safety program official books.

Courses will teach you basic firearm safety and Canadian law regarding firearm storage and transportation.

We advise taking a course even if you have a good experience with firearms.

If you read the preparation material and listened to the instructor, the test is easy to pass.

Part of a test is a quiz to check theoretical knowledge, and the second part is a practical test with a firearm.

Safety courses can be provided by your local gun shop, gun range, or independent instructor.

The average price for a safety course is 100-200 Canadian dollars.

If you're applying for the restricted firearm category, please be aware that to purchase and legally transport restricted firearms for shooting purposes, you will have to be a registered member of a shooting club/ shooting range. Search for a shooting range in your area and become a member.

How to apply for PAL

After passing a Firearm Safety test, you will need to fill out a PAL application.

  • PAL application
    • If the Firearm Safety Course provided you with a copy of the Firearm Safety test result, attach a photocopy of this document to the application.
  • If you are a new Canadian and reside in Canada for less than 5 years or non-Canadian resident, you may need to obtain a Letter of Good Conduct from the local police department" and provide it with your application.
  • If you are married or have a common law partner, your spouse/partner will have to sign and date your application. It is not legally required, but if the spouse's signature missing. The Chief Firearms officer has a duty to notify your spouse/partner.
  • You will have to provide two references, anyone who is over 18 years old, not your spouse or common-law partner, and has known you for at least 3 years. Your references will need to sign your application in the Reference section and will be contacted by Canada Firearm Program for a short interview regarding your personality and behavior.
  • Attach a picture to your application
  • Pay a fee, at the time PAL license fee are:
    • Non-restricted: $62.42
    • Restricted or prohibited: $83.23
  • Mail your application to the Canadian Firearms Program

Mail address:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Canadian Firearms Program
Ottawa ON K1A 0R2

After Applying

There is a minimum 28-day waiting (cool down) period for new PAL applicants. Be patient, processing firearms license include various background checks. At a time, the average waiting period for new PAL applicants is 45 days.

To check the PAL application status, you can register for online services.

In case you don't see a status update for a while, it can be helpful to give a call to the

Canadian Firearms Program: 1-800-731-4000

After your application is reviewed and approved, You will receive your PAL in a mail that will look similar to:

Helpful links:

💥🔫 Happy Shooting!