To Clarify the differences between gun ownership in America and Canada from a Canadian gun owner himself. I've read quite a bit of nonsense in this
thread regarding this issue.
The two countries are VASTLY different in terms of gun ownership. In Canada when a person turns 18 they may apply for what is called an FAC (Firearms
Acquisition Certificate) They CANNOT just walk into a sporting goods store, fill out some documentation and purchase firearms at will, there is a
lengthy process in acquiring an FAC. Keep in mind this is in regards to long guns (rifles and shotguns) Handguns are a completely different ball
game.
The first process in acquiring an FAC in Canada is attending a mandatory firearms training course, this usually takes place over a weekend. You are
then given an exam in the handling, storage and safety practices of owning a firearm. This is actually a very good law because the last thing the
public wants is stupid uneducated people handling firearms. Guns are dangerous and need to be respected, they aren't toys. After you pass this course
and examination, you may then apply for your FAC. You need what are called sponsors, signatures by people in high places like doctors affirming your
good citizenship standing and mental state of mind. All this is sent off to Ottawa where they decide if you are a good enough citizen to own a firearm
or not. In some cases, law enforcement may question neighbours and friends regardijng your FAC request. They will ask questions regarding mental
state, behavioural tendencies, etc.
When you finally do get your FAC you may then go to a sporting goods store and buy your little .22 rifle to shoot pop cans at the cottage on weekends.
You then, under previous silly liberal party gun amendment laws, must register your firearm. This registry part is where it gets quite dumb and
pointless seeing that criminals won't be registering their illegal firearms anytime soon and that 95% of all gun crimes in Canada are committed using
firearms obtained on the black market or that have been stolen from legitimate gun owners. The serial number, make and model of your long gun is kept
in a vast database where local police have access to the information. If police attend your property, the first thing they see on the computer is that
guns are in the house. Police may call in SWAT (ETF here in Canada) to handle the situation even if it's just a simple argument with your
girlfriend.
Hand gun ownership in Canada has basically been null and voided by the limp wristed pathetic special interest groups in this country over the last 30
years. Even with strict hand gun laws, criminals still off each other in large numbers every weekend locally here in Toronto, it's pretty funny to see
actually because it's mainly one group of people who are doing it. To aquire a hand gun, you must go through the same process as the above mentioned,
but you MUST have a reason for owning a hand gun, this 80% of the time is job related, mainly armed guards, fish and wildlife enforcement, etc. If you
do actually manage to get a hand gun license for sporting use, it must be kept at a local shooting range, never in your own home as far as I know.
When transporting that handgun, you must call police ahead of time and let them know where and when you are traveling with it.
Hope that clears things up.
edit on 13-3-2011 by Jocko Flocko because: (no reason given)
edit on 13-3-2011 by Jocko Flocko
because: (no reason given)