Government and the Possession of Firearms in Canada

Gun control is a very serious problem for any country so in Canada it is allowed to possess a firearm for certain reasons, but it is strictly regulated by a number of rules. The gun control laws in Canada are developed out of the centuries old common law right to keep firearms for the purpose of self-defense. This right was recognized in legislation in the 1689 English Bill of Rights, which forms part of Canada's constitutional framework and which was passed to recognize those liberties needed for a free and democratic society. Between 1890s and the 1970s Criminal Code of Canada amendments introduced a series of minor controls on firearms. In 1970s, the controls of intermediate strength were introduced and in mid 1990s significant increases in controls occurred. In Canada there are three classes of firearms and firearm licenses: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. While it is clear with the first two classes, the prohibited class doesn’t regulate prohibited firearms, but regulates the licenses for a special class of firearms. The license itself is called the Possession and Acquisition License (PAL).

 

Non-restricted licenses allow a person to own and use most semi-automatic and manual action rifles and shotguns, but exclude handguns. Rifles and shotguns that do not meet length requirements are classed as restricted. Some rifles and shotguns are classed as restricted by name. The applicant for this license must have completed and passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC).

 

Restricted licenses allow a person to own most of the handguns and some restricted semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Handguns with barrels shorter than 104 mm are classed as prohibited. Some handguns are classed as prohibited by name. For this license type ) the applicant must have passed both the CFSC and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC).

 

Prohibited licenses allow a person to own firearms classified as prohibited, including fully automatic firearms. Generally, these licenses are not available to most people and may only be issued by the CFO of a province or the Federal Government.

 

 

The Gun Control law sets that a potential customer must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a firearm or legally maintain possession of one. Citizens under the age of 18 but over the age of 12 may obtain a Minor’s License. This license does not allow purchasing a firearm but allows borrowing a firearm unsupervised and purchasing ammunition. The Minors License can be also awarded to children under the age of 12 if they need a firearm to hunt or trap. This is useful for children in remote locations, primarily aboriginal communities, where hunting is practiced from very early on. All firearms in Canada must legally be registered with the Canadian Firearms Registry, approved in 2000. The Canadian Firearms Registry still considered a very controversial decision, together with the latest gun control laws that limit usage of hunting rifles. Most people related to hunting and farming in remote communities, consider this to be overkill in trying to control the firearms in Canada.

 

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