How is gun control handled in Canada?

Answer 1

We currently hold one of the longest sniper shots in battle so we have some pretty good gun control.

But you may be referring to our gun laws. Canada has lots of laws when it comes to self defense and weapons. When it comes to guns they add even more laws.

Guns in Canada are controversial because those with a deep history in the land see guns as a part of our culture. Firearms were needed tools and even today fill many roles in trapping, hunting, farming and traveling. Many of our families can trace continuous gun ownership back to the 1500's and beyond.

Guns made Canada. They collected furs, fed settlers, even crushed rebellions. Guns are every bit Canadian as canoes and beavers.

But guns are not part of all Canadians cultures, particularly newer Canadians. Many who do not have guns as part of their culture, or if they do the guns play a negative role, and are feared as weapons of war or terror.

Which is why our Gun Control is a little confusing to outsiders, even to Canadians, so I won't go into all the little laws and enforcement variations.

A brief over view is that a Canadian needs to take a test, depending on the class of firearm, and get a license to posses or acquire a firearm.

There are three basic classes, Non-restricted (think shotgun/long rifle), Restricted (think handgun), and prohibited (think full auto machine gun).

So for example if you have a PAL (Possession Acquisition License) you can walk into a store and buy a shotgun and after some paperwork exchange you can leave with the gun. (I'm not going into transport and other laws)

If your license includes Restricted then you can buy a Handgun. That requires more paperwork and you will likely have to leave it at the store until it is in order. It can take a really long time, months even, but some say they can do it in a day. I've never bought a handgun in a day, there always seems to be a delay even after having worked on the approvals needed.

Prohibited guns cannot be bought or sold as the others can.

How well it is handled depends on your politics but even taking that into account most Canadians agree it is handled poorly. Every time a gang member, criminal, shoots someone in Toronto with a handgun there is an outcry to take shotguns away from Saskatchewan farmers. Judging by our crime stats the Criminals are fine with that.