Ontario Restricted Firearms Question

[smokeater]

I have a question about restricted firearms purchasing in Ontario. Federal law states that anybody with a restricted licence may purchase a restricted weapon. I was speaking with a dealer the other day about purchasing and he explained to me, well I'll post exactly what he told me via email.


The “law” does not require you to be a member of a gun club in order to purchase a Restricted Firearm (only that you have a valid PAL with a restricted classification). However, much of the act is administered by each individual province’s CFO. In Ontario the CFO has interpreted the law in such a way that they do not feel that non-club members have a valid reason to own the firearm if they are NOT members of a club, so they usually won’t approve a Restricted purchase unless the buyer belongs to a gun club. There are ways around this but that is the usual situation.

I was speaking with a friend who teaches the safety course and he says this is not true at all. He said the process is as simple as you buy it, get it registered, they phone in and get you an ATT number so you can take it home, and you take it home.

Does anybody have any knowledge, preferably experience, in dealing with this type of stuff? Do you have to be a member of the club in order to be allowed to purchase a restricted weapon.

[buresnipes]

well if ur buddy is a teacher on it i would go with what he says. just google.ca it.

[AceVentura]

It might not be clear in the law, but the general practice in Ontario for quite a while now is that no gun shop will sell you a handgun unless you're already a member of a gun club. The only exception is if you have collector status.

I'm not sure how it works with restricted long guns, but I know 100% for sure you will have to join a club first for handguns.

[smokeater]

It might not be clear in the law, but the general practice in Ontario for quite a while now is that no gun shop will sell you a handgun unless you're already a member of a gun club. The only exception is if you have collector status.

I'm not sure how it works with restricted long guns, but I know 100% for sure you will have to join a club first for handguns.

I think they are consistent with restricted firearms. The quote I posted above was when I was inquiring about an AR-15, which is also restricted. So whether I'm looking to purchase a rifle that's restricted or a handgun, I think the rules are the same.

Long guns are non restricted and with those it's not nearly so complicated, at least as far as I know. It'll be much easier with long guns in a few months when this registry is scrapped.

Thanks for the reply.

[AceVentura]

I think they are consistent with restricted firearms. The quote I posted above was when I was inquiring about an AR-15, which is also restricted. So whether I'm looking to purchase a rifle that's restricted or a handgun, I think the rules are the same.

Long guns are non restricted and with those it's not nearly so complicated, at least as far as I know. It'll be much easier with long guns in a few months when this registry is scrapped.

Thanks for the reply.

While I can't comment in restricted long guns, I would guess that it's probably the same as handguns. You see when they are issuing registration they decide only to do so if you've got a legimiate purpose for buying it. You can't do anything with an AR-15 except go to a restricted firearm range and shoot it, so if you haven't got a membership at one they don't see you as having any legitimate reason to own such a firearm, right?

Long guns are not all non-restricted, what is an AR lol? I'd like to see it happen but I would not hold my breath as to seeing the registry go anywhere. All the opposition parties are proponents of it, I don't think it's a big enough issue for the conservatives to risk being defeated over. But we'll see I guess.

[smokeater]

While I can't comment in restricted long guns, I would guess that it's probably the same as handguns. You see when they are issuing registration they decide only to do so if you've got a legimiate purpose for buying it. You can't do anything with an AR-15 except go to a restricted firearm range and shoot it, so if you haven't got a membership at one they don't see you as having any legitimate reason to own such a firearm, right?

Long guns are not all non-restricted, what is an AR lol? I'd like to see it happen but I would not hold my breath as to seeing the registry go anywhere. All the opposition parties are proponents of it, I don't think it's a big enough issue for the conservatives to risk being defeated over. But we'll see I guess.

You're right, not all long guns are non restricted. I'll correct myself... non-restricted guns. The major difference is there is no ATT (authorization to transport) required for non restricted weapons. You can actually take your shotgun or other non restricted weapons and walk up and down the street and it be perfectly legal (obviously it's got to be unloaded and have a safety in place). But with restricted weapons you need an ATT to take transport them anywhere. And a club must sponsor your ATT other wise you won't get one. I don't intend to take the guns anywhere so I'd like to avoid it if I can (doesn't look like that's realistic though). Oh, and an AR-15 is a smaller, semi-automatic, version of the M-16. A perfectly legal, but restricted weapon.

I'm still waiting to hear back from a few people who sell restricted weapons to see if there are any ways around all this. Whatever they tell me I'll post here.

[AceVentura]

You're right, not all long guns are non restricted. I'll correct myself... non-restricted guns. The major difference is there is no ATT (authorization to transport) required for non restricted weapons. You can actually take your shotgun or other non restricted weapons and walk up and down the street and it be perfectly legal (obviously it's got to be unloaded and have a safety in place). But with restricted weapons you need an ATT to take transport them anywhere. And a club must sponsor your ATT other wise you won't get one. I don't intend to take the guns anywhere so I'd like to avoid it if I can (doesn't look like that's realistic though). Oh, and an AR-15 is a smaller, semi-automatic, version of the M-16. A perfectly legal, but restricted weapon.

I'm still waiting to hear back from a few people who sell restricted weapons to see if there are any ways around all this. Whatever they tell me I'll post here.

hehe yeah i know what an AR is man, the thing is, they don't want you just keeping a restricted rifle at your house just for the sake of owning it, the government in their infinite wisdom just sees that as an opportunity for it to get stolen and go on to the street. If you just want it without shooting it you'd have to get collector status and that's pretty difficult to do.

And maybe technically you could walk down the street with your rifle with the bolt out and a trigger lock on but it's probably not a good idea unless you want to spend 12 hours at the station explaining yourself and having your gun collection confiscated.

If you want a semi-auto centerfire rifle that isn't restricted just get a mini-14 or there are a few other options. Honestly there is no logic whatsoever to how they make a weapon non-restricted or restricted. An AR-15 is restricted but the equally dangerous mini-14 isn't because it doesn't look all black and scary lol.

I've never bothered with restricted long guns, it just doesn't seem worth the effort to me.

I mean this is Canada man, you can take it to the range and pop off your 5 round mags at a target. Mini-14 or something similar vs. an AR isn't much difference except an AR is much more trouble and 3 times the cost. If you want it for home defence you're better off getting a shotgun, a 5 round mag isn't worth your efforts.

[smokeater]

hehe yeah i know what an AR is man, the thing is, they don't want you just keeping a restricted rifle at your house just for the sake of owning it, the government in their infinite wisdom just sees that as an opportunity for it to get stolen and go on to the street. If you just want it without shooting it you'd have to get collector status and that's pretty difficult to do.

And maybe technically you could walk down the street with your rifle with the bolt out and a trigger lock on but it's probably not a good idea unless you want to spend 12 hours at the station explaining yourself and having your gun collection confiscated.

If you want a semi-auto centerfire rifle that isn't restricted just get a mini-14 or there are a few other options. Honestly there is no logic whatsoever to how they make a weapon non-restricted or restricted. An AR-15 is restricted but the equally dangerous mini-14 isn't because it doesn't look all black and scary lol.

I've never bothered with restricted long guns, it just doesn't seem worth the effort to me.

I mean this is Canada man, you can take it to the range and pop off your 5 round mags at a target. Mini-14 or something similar vs. an AR isn't much difference except an AR is much more trouble and 3 times the cost. If you want it for home defence you're better off getting a shotgun, a 5 round mag isn't worth your efforts.

Sorry about that bud, didn't mean to insult your intelligence. I guess I read your last post wrong. Ya I don't get why some are restricted and some aren't. I mean they are all equally dangerous in the wrong hands. Eventually I'll join a club, but not right now. I don't have the time to invest in jumping through the hoops of a new club... and won't for about a year or so. If I need to wait until then, oh well. But I'm going to see if there is any way around this stuff. i won't be holding my breath though.

[2bbig]

Is the SKS restricted here in Canada?

[BMcBjooberson]

Is the SKS restricted here in Canada?

I know you can buy Yugoslav copies of it from Marstar and they're non-restricted

[nognig]

Check out Canadian Gun Nutz.com (www.canadiangunnutz.com).

This has been cover on their forum before.

From what I remember, in the Prairie Provinces, you can buy a restricted without belonging to a club. However, some have also been able to do that in Ontario.

NN