Канаданың қару-жарақ лицензиясы: негізгі талаптар мен ережелер

Primary firearms licence under Canadian firearms laws

The possession and acquisition licence (PAL; ) is the primary firearms licence under Canadian firearms laws. The PAL is the only licence issued to new adult firearms licence applicants in Canada; it is both required and the only permissible document for a person to acquire or permanently import a firearm. Applicants for a PAL must be 18 years of age or older. There is no requirement of citizenship or residency (although different forms, and slightly different requirements apply). A non resident firearms declaration form that has been confirmed by a Canada Border Services Agency officer serves as a temporary firearms licence for non residents that are visiting Canada for fewer than 60 days. Unlike a PAL, however, the non resident firearms declaration is only considered a valid temporary licence for the specific firearms declared and does not permit the holder to borrow any firearms. There is a separate licensing system to transport restricted firearms (authorization to transport). In other words, while a PAL (with appropriate endorsements) may permit a person to purchase a restricted firearm, it does not in itself permit that person to transport it from the store to their home. (This particular case can become an endorsement on a PAL.) For non restricted firearms, separate authorization to transport is not required.

Like licences, firearms are classified into prohibited, restricted and non restricted categories.

PALs were introduced in Canada in 1995 as part of Bill C 68 as a replacement for the FAC (firearms acquisition certificate) system. Whereas the FAC was only required to acquire a firearm, a PAL is required to both acquire and possess firearms and to acquire ammunition. A PAL for non restricted firearms allows its holders to acquire and possess any non restricted firearm, while a PAL for restricted firearms (which also covers prohibited firearms to those eligible) allows the holder to acquire and possess restricted firearms. When first implemented, the PAL also allowed the holder to acquire a cross bow, although no licence was required to possess one. There is no longer a licensing requirement for purchasing cross bows.

The transportation regulations are broken down into two divisions: those for non restricted firearms and those for restricted or prohibited firearms. These rules are laid out in the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations. A non restricted firearm may be transported so long as it is unloaded. Such a firearm does not need to be encased or trigger locked. A restricted firearm must be disabled by use of a trigger, cable, or other locking device and locked in an opaque case. An unattended non restricted firearm left in a vehicle must be locked in the trunk or other compartment, if one is available. In order to transport restricted or prohibited firearms, an individual must obtain an authorization to transport. An ATT is generally approved only for individuals to transport a restricted or prohibited firearm to a shooting range for target practice, gun show for sale, to a gunsmith or gun shop or for a competition (e. g.: IPSC). An authorization to carry (ATC) allows a person to carry a restricted firearm or prohibited handgun concealed (if specified as a condition of carry) and loaded. An ATC for open carry is usually only issued to employees of armoured car companies or for other limited employment reasons. In very rare situations, an ATC may be issued for protection of life, which would allow the holder to have a loaded handgun with them, or at home, without violating safe storage rules that usually require an unloaded firearm to be trigger locked and secured.