Canadian Gun Safety Course

You can get the course books and study them ahead of time. The course won't teach you anything you can't read on your own. I know 5 different people who challenged the test and all passed with ease. Entirely up to you though, if spending 2 days in a classroom suits you more then go for it.

While in an earlier post, I suggested the timeline was "six to eight months" to obtain a PAL license, well, it turns out, it was eight months to the day in my case. I.e., I registered for the required class on 2/15 and my PAL license arrived in today's mail.

Yes, you must follow their rules EXACTLY, it does take a while, and it does cost some money to obtain it, but hereafter, I KNOW I'm "good to go" at the border so long as I store and transport using THEIR rules (and the rules do vary a bit from province to province.

Cheers.

Thank you for your responses. I will do some homework and find a course for my wife and I to take.

Stuart

retraite wrote:
I'd suggest that both you and your wife obtain a PAL license if you both shoot. Otherwise the "control" of the firearm will be a problem for you'all.

Also, if she potentially could be driving your vehicle alone with the firearms inside, she will require her own licence authorizing her possession of those firearms.

S-n-L wrote:
Firstsetp1,

My wife and I shoot skeet for recreation. We will be fulltiming and have two shotguns with us. From what the Canadian website states you can pay a fee that allows transport of the guns for a few months or take a safety course and pay one fee that is good for 5 years. I would like the convenience of having the 5 year permit.

Here is the website:
www.canadawelcomesyou.net/firearms.html

Stuart

S-n-L,

I'd suggest that both you and your wife obtain a PAL license if you both shoot. Otherwise the "control" of the firearm will be a problem for you'all.

Cheers.

S-n-L,

I've done exactly that. The RCMP manages/administers the program. The program's website is http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm.

Call them, they are VERY helpful.

That said, three comments.

First, it takes a while to get it all done - read maybe six to eight months from now to license in hand.

Second, I'd encourage you NOT to be tempted to "challenge" their mandatory exam. While you may well "know" all the stuff (real world), you must know your stuff using their terminology. IMHO, take the class (which includes the test) and you'll likely sail right through. I'm told that the "pass rate" for challengers is a bit under 50%.

The classes are offered by "authorized and licensed" contractors. The contractors set their own schedule and prices. A little searching and you can find them. I used www.guns.to and they did a really good job. No matter how much you "think" you know, you will learn something.

And, a detail. If you're not in your seat at the appointed hour the class starts, you're out. NO late arrivals.

Third, approach the process "their (RCMP) way". I.e., do EXACTLY what they say, and IN THE ORDER THEY WANT IT DONE and it's easy. They really don't like folks trying to short circuit their system.

For example, as a non-resident, you will need a "Gold Seal" letter (or whatever it's called in Vermont) from the appropriate agency (here it's the State Police, there I don't know but it should be easy to find out). The RCMP does NOT want you to "apply" for your Gold Seal letter until you have RECEIVED your grade report from the class you need to take. Yes, you'll know you passed their tests (two tests) (or not) within minutes of taking the tests. So, you'd be tempted to go home and apply for your Gold Seal letter so you have it when the "official" test results arrive by mail.

Don't do it. DO IT THEIR WAY. That way, you'll get what you want. Otherwise, if there's to big a "gap" in the number of days between the date on your Gold Seal and the date you file your application, they'll simply return it asking for a more current Gold Seal letter.

They (RCMP) have a job to do and, while they're quite helpful, they mean business. It's their way or the highway.

Cheers

S-n-L wrote:
Here is the website:
www.canadawelcomesyou.net/firearms.html

That is a non-government site. Best to use the information presented on the RCMP website as your official source.

There is a 1-800 number that can be used to contact the Chief Firearms Officer nearest you, listed at
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/cfo-caf/index-eng.htm

The same page also lists the contact information for each provincial/territorial Chief Firearms Officer. The Quebec phone number is in English :B

The CFOs designate instructors for the courses. Surely the Quebec CFO can advise who teaches the course in English.

Taking the course is one of the options for non-residents, per this page from the RCMP titled Firearm Users Visiting Canada
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/visit-visite-eng.htm
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Option 2

Apply for a five-year Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).

To apply for a PAL, applicants must provide evidence that they have passed the written and practical tests for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. A course from another country does not meet Canadian legal requirements. However, it may be possible to take the tests without taking the course.

The CFO of the province or territory to be visited can provide information on any other documents that will be required to complete the background security check.

With a Canadian firearms licence, there is no need to complete the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration. However, an oral declaration must still be made to the customs officer.
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It is possible to self-study and challenge the test. However, taking the course (usually a two-day course with test) is worthwhile as the test checks knowledge of Canada's laws & regulations, firearms safety (in transport & storage), and knowledge of the mechanisms on a wide variety of firearms. In Yukon, there is also a practical in-the-field test to verify knowledge of safe handling of a firearm.

Firstsetp1,

My wife and I shoot skeet for recreation. We will be fulltiming and have two shotguns with us. From what the Canadian website states you can pay a fee that allows transport of the guns for a few months or take a safety course and pay one fee that is good for 5 years. I would like the convenience of having the 5 year permit.

Here is the website:
www.canadawelcomesyou.net/firearms.html

Stuart

Just Curios. What is Canada's website?, that's like saying United States website and other question is why would you need to bring a shotgun into Canada, Just Curios, Fred