Getting Your Firearm License in Canada

Gun laws in Canada are fairly stringent. If you are a gun owner, you must possess a license, and all handguns or semi-automatic weapons in your possession must be properly registered. Individuals must carry a license if they need to carry the weapon out of the house.

If an individual having a firearm is found without a valid license, they can face grave consequences in the form of penalties. It is why; you must apply for a license as quickly as possible. 

If you are based in Calgary, Ducimus Learning is here to help. Read on to learn how you can obtain a firearm license in Calgary, Canada, with Ducimus Learning, and learn about firearm safety.

Firearms license in Canada (PAL and RPAL)

A Firearms license indicates that the license holder can possess and use firearms, while a registered certificate is intended to identify the firearm and link it to its owner. However, if you have a restricted or prohibited firearm, you need a registration certificate even if you are not the owner or handle the weapon.  

In Canada, a PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) enables the license holder to own and use firearms (non-restricted). If you want to apply for a license to own a non-restricted firearm, you are required to pass a set of firearms safety tests. Similarly, if you want to apply for a license that caters to a prohibited or restricted firearm, you must also pass another set of tests. 

How to obtain a firearms license- Calgary Canada

Obtaining a firearms license in Calgary, Canada, is similar to other areas. You need to be 18 years or older to obtain a license. If you are 18 years or older, you can apply for a PAL (Possession and Acquisition License), or RPAL (Restricted Possession and Acquisition License) for restricted firearms, or both. 

However, minors aged 12 to 17 can also possess a non-restricted firearm; provided they have parental consent and an adult with a firearms license assumes responsibility for them. Non-restricted firearms include shotguns, hunting, and sporting rifles.

So, here is how you can obtain a firearm license in Calgary. 

As a resident applicant, adult, or minor, you must first pass a Canadian Firearms safety course, and if you want to own a restricted firearm, you need to pass the Canadian Restricted Firearm Safety Course. For both PAL and RPAL applications, you need to fill out a standard PAL form to initiate the process.

If you are a non-resident who wishes to use or bring a firearm in Calgary or anywhere in Canada, you must be 18 years or older. You must also complete and submit a Non-resident firearm declaration form to the Canada Border Services Agency. The Services Agency will issue you a temporary license that is valid for 60 days and is renewable.

If a minor aged 12 to 17 wishes to possess a firearm license, they can apply for a minor’s license with parental consent and after passing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. Minors need to fill out an application specified for a Possession license under the Firearms Act for minors and attach a consent letter with the application. 

Canadian Firearms Safety Course with Ducimus Learning

The Canadian Firearms Safety Course is a basic training course for firearms safety. The course is intended to provide individuals with a basic working knowledge of how to handle firearms in a safe manner. It also familiarizes them with the laws and procedures pertaining to ownership of firearms in Canada. 

Whether you are experienced or not, the safety course is designed to facilitate in both instances. If you have never handled a firearm before, Ducimus Learning helps in terms of providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Similarly, if you have prior experience, you will be able to revise the concepts and find the course an effective source of preparation for the Firearms Safety Examination, a pre-requisite for obtaining a license. 

Ducimus Learning offers two separate courses; there is one for PAL for non-restricted firearms and the other for RPAL for restricted firearms. 

PAL Course

The PAL course caters to unrestricted firearms, including rifles and shotguns. To take the course, you need to be 12 years or older. However, as suggested earlier, if you are aged between 12 and 17, you require parental consent for the course. To apply for the course, you must provide a current government-issued identification, including provincial ID, birth certificate, permanent residence permit card, passport, or driver’s license. 

The RPAL course

The RPAL course is for firearms in the restricted category. To apply for the course, you must be 18 years or older. It is also mandatory that you pass the PAL course before you apply for the RPAL course. Like the PAL course, you must provide a current government-issued identity, including provincial ID, birth certificate, permanent residence permit card, passport, or driver’s license. 

What the course offers you

It is important to note that the course is based on classroom training and features supervised practices of instructions taught in the class subsequent to the material. Therefore, you will have opportunities to handle various firearms, including rifles, handguns, and shotguns. 

Generally, the course is designed in the form of PowerPoint-based lectures, while the course material is divided into modules and provided in the same manner in the course manual. Following this, you will be provided with a demonstration of the procedures of handling firearms, including loading and unloading the firearms, and PROVE that the firearm is safe. You will also be offered the opportunity to practice the demonstrations taught.

The course assessment procedure includes an MCQ-based exam for the theory part (which has 50 questions) and an individual practical test, followed by a course completion report.

Get the safety course with Ducimus Learning today

Even if you are a complete novice in the area, you will ace the required examination once you are done with the safety course with Ducimus Learning. We offer an environment conducive to learning so that even individuals with minimal prior experience and firearm exposure can learn effectively. The instructors adopt a progressive and logical approach with hands-on training so you can familiarize yourself with handling firearms and feel comfortable while doing so.

Thus, if you want to obtain a firearm license in Calgary, Ducimus Learning is the place to be. Register today to learn firearm safety in Calgary and obtain your license.