Most North Americans may have forgotten that on January, 2000 President Bill Clinton proposed new legislation that would have required all American citizens to obtain a federal gun license. American handgun owners were outraged, as well as manufacturers, dealers and more than a few members of the U.S. Congress.

Although this national-level law would have been something new for the U.S., Canada was already under a countrywide gun law. On December 1, 1998 the Canada Firearms Act of 1995 was finally in full effect. The law in Canada requires that all citizens must have a Possession and Acquisition Licenses (PAL). Canadian gun owners quickly became very familiar with the extra license that they now had to have.

There is a comparatively extensive background check that is run on anyone looking to obtain a gun license in Canada. This helps to eliminate the potential threat from people who have been convicted of a previous gun crime. Also, any persons with a history of certain serious crimes or convictions, and those with mental health issues, have a little chance of receiving a gun license in Canada.

Classes of Firearms as per Canadian Legislation

Normally, an individual in Canada will have an access to only first two of three possible classes of firearms, because Prohibited one is closed for all individuals since 1995 in Canada unless it is "grandfathered".

Non-restricted firearms (longguns) are ordinary hunting and sporting rifles and shotguns with an overall length of 660mm or greater. If it is a center-fire semi-automatic firearm, the barrel length must be at least 18.5 in (470mm) to qualify as non-restricted. Certain firearms, although they meet the above criteria, have been classified as "restricted" or "prohibited" by order-in-council.

Restricted firearms (handguns) include all pistols and revolvers with barrel length not less than 4.14 in. (105 mm). Again, some exceptions will apply. An Authorization to Transport (ATT permit) is required to move a restricted firearm from the location where the firearm is registered.

Prohibited (fully automatic firearms, handguns with barrel lengths under 4.14 in. (105mm), or chambered in .25 or .32) and a variety of other firearms which have been classified as "prohibited" by Chief Firearms Officer of Canada.

Antique or new, it’s the same

Canada has a population of 31 million people, a little more than one-tenth the U.S. counts. The authorities have, at times, based the number of guns that collectors may have in their possession on notions of population density and "potential impact." These sorts of restrictions also apply to sportsmen and target shooters, which are categories of gun owners that Canadian Authorities often consider to be covers for people who simply want to own weapons. This is because Canadians must demonstrate a reason to own a gun beyond wanting it for simple self-defense.

In sum, all Canadian firearms owners must have all of their guns registered. This means every gun that is in their possession, no matter the age or the operating condition of the weapon. It is a mandatory rule enforced by the Canadian Firearms Act. Finally, if a Canadian citizen loans a gun to another licensed individual, they must loan the registration certificate as well. If a citizen is caught without registration of their firearms, the guns will be seized and criminal charges may be filed.

Common Purposes of Acquiring of Guns

Most common purposes of acquiring of firearms by Canadian residents usually will be limited to shooting as sports and hunting activity. After those, employment needs will arise and only after it such needs as protection of your personal life or somebody else’s life.

Last ones, although will be absolutely legal purposes, but will never be broadly and directly supported by Canadian Law, as for example, as it is supported in United States.

Magazine Capacity Limits

Under magazine capacity maximal physical number of the cartridges in the magazine of firearm is understood.

Canadian Government, as any other one as well, will apply federal magazine capacity limits to some certain firearms, meant for civil market use to be all the time stronger in any possible situations of confrontation.

For example, any non-semi-automatic shotguns will be completely unlimited, although any semi-automatic and center-fire firearm will be a subject to only maximum 5 cartridges physically in its magazine.

Any handgun meant for civil use (such as target practicing) will be a subject to 10 rounds in its magazine.

The Examination

Applicants must pass an examination that is given in two parts, a written portion and a practical one. The written test contains multiple choice and true/false questions, most of which are fairly basic, but there will be some tricky questions as well. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to take Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and/or Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) made available through the list of affiliated instructors/examiners.

The practical portion of the exam, of course, is intended to demonstrate your familiarity with the various actions and operations of guns, and main accents will be made on a safe handling of firearms and its ammunition. The goal is to ensure that you can confirm that a firearm is safe whenever you so much as touch it, much less discharge it. The examiners will want to see that you can operate the gun safely: control muzzle direction at all times, locate and engage the safeties, check magazine and the chamber, verify feeding paths, ensure that the bore is clear of any possible obstructions.

After the tests, and notification that you have passed, you will progress to the next step, the actual application process. It is a good idea to learn from the experience of others, so do some Internet research, talk to licensed gun owners, get all the Canadian government information that is available and do your homework in order to avoid any paperwork errors, which can delay or even derail your gun ownership plans in Canada.

Mandatory Waiting Period

Canadian Government has chosen a North American way of conducting of the application process in order to get Federal Firearms Licence for individuals.

Because of the fact that in both countries there is a high level of firearms-related suicides, and unfortunately in Canada it is not just high, but it is a lion’s share (about 81% versus 14% of homicides and just 5% of accidents) Canadian Government applies a provision of the law, being Mandatory Waiting Period.

If in United States you could have heard about the so called "law of ten days", Canadian Federal Government applies Mandatory Waiting Period about three times longer being 28 days, which applies to any applicant with no exception.

Your application packages will be held for 28 days on purpose by the Federal Government in order to give an additional time for an applicant to "cool down", just in case he/she wants to use newly purchased firearm against himself or anybody else.

That is why an application process in Canada for PAL License takes about standard one and a half month for an actual license to arrive in mail.

The "spousal notification" rules

As if acquiring the license wasn’t enough, there are other steps that need to be followed before you could even apply for one. Under the law, all Canadians who are planning to apply for a gun license must have their current and/or former spouse or common-law (from the past two years at a minimum) sign the application form, as well.

Any refusal from a spouse, for any reason whatsoever, will result in an investigation by local authorities. In addition to that, the Canadian government has also established the "spousal notification" information line. 1-800-731-4000 is a toll-free number that a spouse can call to express any concerns about an applicant, or report any alleged crimes that may not be in the legal records.

Same telephone line is present for any public safety concerns any person might have against an applicant or current legal gun owner.