How to reduce risk of being scammed or bad deals !!!

* Obtain FULL information of the counterparty

Name, full address and phone number (PAL number), ask for more actual detailed picture of the item before sending money or goods.
Better spend couple of minutes to have a real conversation over the phone with buyer/seller.

* Attitude and manner the counterparty communicates could be an indicator – will you deal with a real person who communicates the way he/she does in real life?

* If the deal is too good to be true, there is a always a possibility it could not be true !

* Walk away if you don’t feel right about that deal- Do not rush to making the offer or taking the offer.

* Beware of WANTED requests – scammers always take advantage of buyer’s urgency and desire to get that product.

* If you see a gun you like, go check first gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com sites. If you see that the seller has copied and pasted pictures from an adv there, it’s probably a SCAM.

* Before sending money to anyone on the internet, try and get as much info as you possibly can from the individual and then cross reference it with your local CFO and CFC at 1-800-731-4000 (if it’s a firearm) google it with 411.ca (for other items) – reverse look up and check if data it’s right and valid.

In addition to what is stated above, we have received a couple of suggestions from our users which are:

- once you’re satisfied with the gun, have the seller write your name on a piece of paper and take a picture of it with the firearm in the same frame.

– use Tineye (http://www.tineye.com/) to check to see if the pictures exist anywhere else on the net. It’s a free service that compares images to billions online for possible matches.

*** as a reminder: DO NOT advertize your full name, address, phone number, PAL number or email in your buy/sell ads – use ONLY private msg (PM) for communications…THANK YOU !

Firearms Canada has created a forum (http://www.firearmscanada.com/forum/) specifically for the community to share their thoughts, experiences and advice. If all site related and general firearms related questions can be directed to our forum rather than through our email you will have the benefit of the Firearms Canada moderators as well as the whole Firearms Canada community to quickly answer any questions. It will also serve as a resource for others who may have similar questions.

The following are some of our more common questions that we receive and for the benefit of the community we are posting the common response.

Q- How do I edit or remove my ad?

A- After logging in, click on “my dashboard” and you will be able to view your active listings. To the right of each listing you will see a pencil and a pause button (square with two vertical lines). Use the pencil button to edit your ad, and use the pause button to remove the ad from being viewed in the public listing area.

Q- I can’t log in anymore, please help.

A- The vast majority of log in problems that users have comes from simply forgetting their password. It is important to remember that the passwords are case sensitive. If you have followed the suggestions in the FAQ section for log in problems and are still having difficulties, you can reset your password by clicking “lost your password?” link on the log in page. By doing this, a temporary password will be sent to the email address that you registered with. If after this, you are still having problems please feel free to contact us and we will assist you.

Q- I think there is a fraudulent advertisement or suspicious user, can you please investigate this?

A- As a free internet service, this is a problem that will require the diligence of the community to overcome. If you have suspicions about and advertisement or user, it is in everyone’s interest to be educated. Please post these concerns in the forum so that other users can take heed. Our moderators are very good about tracking this activity, but we need the communities involvement to put a stranglehold on any such activity. As always, our best line of defence is to follow the buy and sell procedures as created by our users and listed in the FAQ section. Don’t be timid when voicing a concern in the forum, in the event your suspicions are unfounded at least an open dialog has been created that other users can learn from. Best case scenario you may have prevented someone from having a very bad day.

Remember, this is your site. It’s up to you to form it in into the site you want.

I realize that this website is called “Firearms Canada”, but knives are only a logical accoutrement.  To that end, we have added an additional category to the buy and sell where our members can post their knives.  If this category proves popular, we will further refine the knife directory for ease of navigation.

We want to hear your thoughts…………

Firearms Canada has the ability to integrate Google Maps into every Free Buy and Sell post. This map would geo-locate off of the posters IP address and would not give an exact location except in the case where a user specifically requests it to do so (ie. a gun store or other firearms business).

For an example of what this would look like, simply click on the picture above to enlarge. In the example above, you will notice that the map is about 12 miles away from where our office is actually located.

This feature would assist users in dealing locally and it would also help weed out potential scam postings that originate from a location other than from where the poster indicates.

When making contact with a buyer or seller with the “Contact” feature beside each ad, the IP address of the person making contact is supplied along with the message. Having the IP map would be one more step to help eliminate potential fraudulent use.

As an active member of the firearms community I take my privacy very seriously. Although I have no issues with a feature like this, the staff at Firearms Canada would like to know if you would like this feature implemented.

Thank you.

Travis Bader
CEO
Firearms Canada Inc.
Silvercore Inc.

You have obtained your firearms license and have just purchased your first non-restricted firearm and want to know how you can legally store it.

In a nutshell, you have three storage options available to you.  It is important to note that regardless of which method you choose to employ when storing your firearm they must always be unloaded.

The three methods are as follows:

1. In a “container, receptacle or room that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into”

Let’s examine this.  What exact requirements does this “room” need to meet in order to be “specifically designed for the safe storage of firearms”?  Do the wall’s need to be concrete?  Does the door and hinges need to be reinforced?  How about the lock, will any old padlock do?

How about the container or receptacle, can it be made from wood or fabric?  Readily broken into by whom… a child using their hands, a group of adults using power tools?

The answer to all of these questions is there is no answer.

If you watch the video provided by the Canadian Firearms Program or CFP (previously named the Canadian Firearms Center), you will notice that a closet with a presumably hollow core door, exposed hinges, simple door lock with no security plate is used as the example of a “specifically designed room”.

You will also notice that the “cabinet or receptacle” appears to be a thin sheet metal safe that can be easily opened with a pry bar or hatchet.

The best anyone in a position of authority has been able to relay to me is “make sure this room or container is specifically designed for firearms, and make sure it can be locked”.

2. The firearm is “rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device”

I know that a trigger lock is considered a “secure locking device”, but is there anything else that could be used as a secure locking device?  I have seen plastic zap straps used by some gun stores in the past, would this qualify?

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3. The firearm is “rendered inoperable by the removal of the bolt or bolt-carrier”

This seems pretty straight forward.  Most non-restricted firearms have bolts, and in the case of bolt action firearms most are fairly easy to remove and replace.  This would mean that a person could in theory store their non-restricted firearm anywhere in their house with the bolt removed and placed right beside the firearm and still meet the legal requirements for safe storage.

As mentioned above, the firearm must never be in a loaded state, and the law further states that the ammunition must not be readily accessible to the firearm.  Once again, one must ask the question “what defines readily accessible”?  If the ammunition is right beside the firearm, is that readily accessible?  What if you move the ammunition 2 feet away from the firearm, or put it on the other side of the room, or in another room, or in another house….. at what point does this ammunition no longer meet the definition of readily accessible?

The law, listed below for your reference, has three exceptions.  It states that the ammunition can be stored with your firearm (still unloaded) if the firearm and ammunition is in a locked receptacle.  It states that the safe storage laws do not apply to those who are storing the firearms temporarily for the control of predators. And finally, the law states that it does not apply to those who are in a remote wilderness area and are using the firearm with a purpose that is compatible with hunting.  Let’s assume that by listing predators we are referring to the four legged variety as opposed to the two legged variety; what defines temporary storage?  In regards to a remote wilderness area, what exactly would that be?

The exact law is as follows:

STORAGE OF NON-RESTRICTED FIREARMS

5. (1) An individual may store a non-restricted firearm only if

(a) it is unloaded;

(b) it is

(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device,

(ii) rendered inoperable by the removal of the bolt or bolt-carrier, or

(iii) stored in a container, receptacle or room that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into; and

(c) it is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored, together with or separately from the firearm, in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to any individual who stores a non-restricted firearm temporarily if the individual reasonably requires it for the control of predators or other animals in a place where it may be discharged in accordance with all applicable Acts of Parliament and of the legislature of a province, regulations made under such Acts, and municipal by-laws.

(3) Paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) do not apply to an individual who stores a non-restricted firearm in a location that is in a remote wilderness area that is not subject to any visible or otherwise reasonably ascertainable use incompatible with hunting.

As always, the high level of vagueness in any law can cut both ways.   One could argue that an extremely low adherence to the spirit of the law is all that is required to stay legal where others may argue that an exceedingly high level must be maintained or face judicial prosecution.  In situations like this, the advice that we always give is “if you don’t feel like fighting this issue in court, exceed the minimum requirements”.  Regardless of what the laws may require, it has been my experience that the majority of firearms owners in Canada exceed the minimum requirements out of their own personal attention to safety.

As there are many readers who have had personal experience in dealing with these laws,  I would be happy to hear what you think.

It is not often that I read an article of this calibre (if you will pardon the pun) printed in the paper.

I felt it was worth re-posting here.

George Jonas, National Post · Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

It was predictable for anti-gun activists to surface after the Tucson tragedy of Jan. 8. Some are the same opportunists who tried blaming the attempted assassination of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Sarah Palin and the Tea Party, but others aren’t political. They’re simply gun-shy. It’s a condition, I suppose, or at least a phobia, beyond the reach of reason.

Gun-shy folk have this much in common with gun-enthusiasts.

Guns are loved and hated irrationally. Some people admire firearms, collect them, fondle them, all but have sex with them. Others abhor guns, consider them pornographic, react to them as Victorians did to risque remarks. Both types are equally alien to me, but they aren’t equal.

Former Toronto mayor David Miller was gun-shy. (I imagine he still is.) He tried making Toronto a gun-free zone, or said he would. He wanted Torontonians to have no guns, gun clubs, gun collections or shooting ranges within the city limits. He himself had no guns, presumably, or any interest in shooting.

Had the former mayor been a gun enthusiast, much as he may have collected guns and visited shooting ranges himself, I doubt if he would have tried obliging his fellow Torontonians to do so.

Here’s the difference. Those who love guns rarely demand that you share their admiration, but those who hate guns demand that you share their aversion. Firearm-philiacs make no attempt to persuade, let alone oblige, anyone to have a love affair with guns, but firearmphobiacs use the law at every turn to make their hatred obligatory. Gun-lovers understand something about freedom; gun-haters understand only coercion. In the gun debate, the peaceniks are the bullies.

What about the merits of the debate? Immaterial. Love and hate are beyond debate. Ex-mayor Miller, for instance, used to talk about pubic safety. He and I may not have shared many soft spots, but I’d defy anyone to have a softer spot for public safety than me. I pose no threat to my townspeople, and I prefer my townspeople to pose no threat to me. Yet the same goal — public safety — would lead Miller and me to entirely different policies. His instinct would be to control guns; mine, to control crime.

Gun-control advocates would disarm the harmless, and leave them defenceless against the harmful they can’t disarm. If I couldn’t disarm the harmful, which would be my first choice, my second choice would be to arm the harmless, or at least encourage them to arm themselves.

Disarming the harmless is easier, of course. Passing a law is all it takes. People who don’t much shoot people pay attention to laws. Many even pay attention to bylaws. Pass a bylaw that says “give up your guns, please” and by golly, they’ll give ‘em up.

In contrast, disarming the harmful may be impossible. They’re scofflaws. They don’t obey.

Politics, as they say, is the art of the possible. Mayors are politicians, practical people, favouring practical solutions. Passing laws for the law-abiding is practical because they’ll generally abide by them, while passing laws for the lawless is impractical for they will rarely do so.

For politicians, the matter seems simple. Only impractical people advocate measures that depend for success on compliance by the lawless — they say — when with the same effort they could put laws on the books that depend for success on compliance by the law-abiding. What’s the use of passing laws that people don’t obey, such as “thou shalt not kill?” We’ve hundreds of such laws on the books. “Don’t carry illicit handguns; don’t peddle illicit drugs; don’t shoot up the neighbourhood.” They’re all laws that cost a mint to enforce, to little avail. The practical thing is to pass laws that people do obey, such as “no shooting ranges within Toronto city limits.” Switching from low-compliance-rate laws to high-compliance-rate laws is the ticket.

It’s a ticket, all right — but a ticket to what? If the destination is public safety, gun collectors aren’t in the way, either in Toronto or Tucson. Citizens using guns in self-defence aren’t in the way, either. They aren’t making our cities unsafe. What makes our cities unsafe is drug-dealing youth gangs shooting at each other and hitting passersby. Or deranged individuals hearing voices that urge them to shove people in front of subways. Or the authorities defending shoplifters against shopkeepers more keenly than shopkeepers against shoplifters, as they did in Toronto last year.

Outlawing shooting ranges within the city limits won’t change that. No passer-by has ever been shot at a Toronto shooting range. Threats to public safety don’t come from insufficient laws but insufficient people: teenage mothers, drug culture, youth gangs, mental illness. The problem? Try political correctness, self-censoring politicians, irresolute courts, hamstrung police. People obeying good laws reduces crime; good people obeying bad laws reduces only freedom.

One cannot restrict the defiant by constraining the compliant. A law that obliged everybody within Toronto city limits to breathe would bring 100% compliance from the living and no significant change of behaviour from anyone else.

A friend of mine was having some issues with his pump action shotgun when we were hunting in the marshlands of Ladner BC.  The shell latch would fail which would cause a double feed in the shotgun essentially jamming the action open and rendering fire firearm inoperable.  He explained to me that this was happening on a regular basis and that he would have to use his knife or a stick to pry the round out.

I showed him a simple stoppage clearance drill that we commonly teach on our shotgun courses.

Prior to writing this post, I thought I would search with Google to find an article or video that I could point to but was surprised to find that while many people have talked about stoppage clearance on their handguns and rifles I was unable to find anything relating to shotgun clearance drills.  Even some of the major training companies seem to overlook this essential piece of information.

It is important to note that we use Remington 870 shotguns on our courses and this technique will not work on every type of pump action shotgun so you should experiment with yours to test for function.

I will outline the procedure in the same context as if it were being taught to a military or law enforcement personal as it this will encompass the larger spectrum of dealing with a shotgun stoppage.  For some readers, the knowledge presented here will allow them to get a clay bird or duck before its out of range;  for others it could save their life.

Stoppage Clearance on the Remington 870 Shotgun

• If you experience a stoppage, MOVE and seek cover.
• Transition to your pistol.
• Consider tactical repositioning.
• Only attempt to clear a stoppage from the safety of cover.

The two major stoppages you will find on the 870 platform are:

1-      Rounds loaded backwards into magazine.

2-      Double Feed, whereby the shell latch released two rounds onto carrier.

To clear follow the three P’s in Push-Pinch-Pull

Push

• Turn the shotgun upside down.
• With your support hand push the fore-end forward towards the muzzle.

Push

Pinch

• Pinch the carrier down with the shooting hand and maintain that downward pressure.

Pinch

Pull

• Pull the fore-end to the rear.  All the while maintaining the pinch on the carrier. This will free one of the shells.
• Maintain the pinch of the carrier and remove one of the shells from the receiver.
• Simultaneously push the backward shell back into magazine tube as you release the pinch pressure on the carrier.
• Push the carrier down into the receiver and allow the shell to pop out.  Lift up on the end of the shell releasing the rim from the shell catch.  Clearing the backward round.

Of course if you didn’t have a backwards round but instead had a true double feed, once the first round was cleared from the shotgun you could then pump the shotgun closed and would be back in the game.

When shown together the whole operation will look like this:

Travis Bader
CEO
Firearms Canada Inc.
Silvercore Training Inc.

Let’s talk a bit about each.

Non-Restricted:

Non-Restricted firearms are generally your typical sporting firearms with rifles and shotguns primarily filling this category.  It used to be that these firearms could be transferred freely between licensed firearms owners without the need of registration or notifying the firearms center.   At the time, these firearms were literally without restrictions for anyone licensed individual.  As time creeps on, more restrictions are being placed on these firearms (ie. verification, registration, etc.) but they still bear the title of “non-restricted”.

These firearms can still be loaned to other licensed individuals provided a valid copy of the firearms registration certificate accompany the firearm.

Restricted:

Restricted firearms are typically handguns but certain rifles and shotguns can find themselves on this list if they are too short or aesthetically unpleasing to the lawmakers at the time.  A perfect example of this would be an AR-15 rifle pictured below.  Although it accepts the same magazines, shoots the same ammunition and is similarly capable in every aspect to the Tavor rifle on the right lower, the AR-15 is considered Restricted and the Tavor is Non-Restricted.

According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:

• a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm;
• a semi-automatic, centre-fire rifle or shotgun with a barrel length less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) that is not prohibited;
• a rifle or shotgun that can fire when its overall length is reduced by folding, telescoping or some other means to less than 660 mm (26 inches);
• any firearm prescribed as restricted (including some long guns).

It is important to note that if a firearm is over 660 mm in overall length and has a barrel specifically manufactured for that firearm but falls under the 470 mm length, it can still meet the definition of a non-restricted firearm.

In addition to the Criminal Code, some firearms are “prescribed” as restricted.  The Canadian Firearms Program lists the following as “prescribed” restricted firearms.

Firearms Prescribed as Restricted

This list of restricted firearms specified in the December 1, 1998 Criminal Code regulations includes all firearms that have been restricted by a former Order in Council.

• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the High Standard Model 10, Series A shotgun and the High Standard Model 10, Series B shotgun, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the M-16 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the:
  • Colt AR-15;
  • Colt AR-15 SPI;
  • Colt AR-15 Sporter;
  • Colt AR-15 Collapsible Stock Model;
  • Colt AR-15 A2;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Carbine;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model Rifle;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model Target Rifle;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model Carbine;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Sporter II;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 H-BAR;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Delta H-BAR;
  • Colt AR-15 A2 Delta H-BAR Match;
  • Colt AR-15 9mm Carbine;
    • Armalite AR-15;
    • AAI M15;
    • AP74;
    • EAC J-15;
    • PWA Commando;
    • SGW XM15A;
    • SGW CAR-AR;
    • SWD AR-15; and,
  • Any 22 calibre rimfire variant, including the:
    • Mitchell M-16A-1/22,
    • Mitchell M-16/22,
    • Mitchell CAR-15/22, and
    • AP74 Auto Rifle.

Prohibited:

Prohibited firearms can fall into the category of full auto, too small, cut down (whether sawed off in the back yard or professionally machined by a qualified gunsmith) or once again simply prescribed as prohibited.  The idea of good guns and bad guns is mind boggling to many people both pro and anti firearm.  There is no doubt that emotion plays a large roll when classifying firearms as there is a perception that certain firearms are more dangerous than others, but once again that is a topic for another post.

The Criminal Code states that a prohibited firearm is:

• a handgun with a barrel length of 105 mm or less;
• a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 25 or 32 calibre ammunition;
• a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make it less than 660 mm (26 inches) in overall length;
• a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) where the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more;
• an automatic firearm and a converted automatic firearm;
• any firearm prescribed as prohibited.

Although it clearly states that handguns with short barrels and ones that can discharge 25 and 32 calibre ammunition (notice it doesn’t state .25 and .32, that little decimal place makes a world of a difference) are prohibited, one can apply for an exemption if they are engaged in international sporting competitions.

Firearms that have fallen under the fore mentioned exemption include:

As for the firearms specifically prescribed as Prohibited, the Canadian Firearms Program gives the following list:

Firearms Prescribed as Prohibited

As with restricted firearms, a Criminal Code regulation listing all the firearms previously prohibited by Order in Council came into effect December 1, 1998. Those firearms are:

Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 3

Any firearm capable of discharging a dart or other object carrying an electrical current or substance, including the firearm of the design commonly known as the Taser Public Defender and any variant or modified version of it.

Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 8

The firearm known as the SSS-1 Stinger and any similar firearm designed or of a size to fit in the palm of the hand.

Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 11

• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Franchi LAW 12 shotgun.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Striker shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Striker 12 shotgun and the Streetsweeper shotgun.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the USAS-12 Auto Shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Franchi SPAS-15 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Benelli M1 Super 90 shotgun and the Benelli M3 Super 90 shotgun, and any variants or modified versions of them, with the exception of the:
  • M1 Super 90 Field;
  • M1 Super 90 Sporting Special;
  • Montefeltro Super 90;
  • Montefeltro Super 90 Standard Hunter;
  • Montefeltro Super 90 Left Hand;
  • Montefeltro Super 90 Turkey;
  • Montefeltro Super 90 Uplander;
  • Montefeltro Super 90 Slug;
  • Montefeltro Super 90 20 Gauge;
  • Black Eagle;
  • Black Eagle Limited Edition;
  • Black Eagle Competition;
  • Black Eagle Slug Gun;
  • Super Black Eagle; and
  • Super Black Eagle Custom Slug.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Bernardelli B4 shotgun and the Bernardelli B4/B shotgun, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the American 180 Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the AM-180 Auto Carbine and the Illinois Arms Company Model 180 Auto Carbine.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Barrett “Light Fifty” Model 82A1 rifle and the Barrett Model 90 rifle, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Calico M-900 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the M-951 carbine, M-100 carbine and M-105 carbine.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Iver Johnson AMAC long-range rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the McMillan M87 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the McMillan M87R rifle and the McMillan M88 carbine.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Pauza Specialties P50 rifle and P50 carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Encom MK-IV carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Encom MP-9 and MP-45 carbines, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the FAMAS rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the MAS 223, FAMAS Export, FAMAS Civil and Mitchell MAS/22.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Feather AT-9 Semi-Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Feather AT-22 Auto Carbine.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Federal XC-450 Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Federal XC-900 rifle and Federal XC-220 rifle.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Gepard long-range sniper rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Heckler and Koch (HK) Model G11 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Research Armament Industries (RAI) Model 500 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Spectre Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the US Arms PMAI “Assault” 22 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Weaver Arms Nighthawk Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the A.A. Arms AR9 Semi-Automatic Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Claridge HI-TEC C, LEC-9 and ZLEC-9 carbines, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Kimel Industries AR-9 rifle or carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Grendel R-31 Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Maadi Griffin Rifle and the Maadi Griffin Carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the AA Arms Model AR-9 carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Bushmaster Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Calico M-950 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the M-110 pistol.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Encom MK-IV assault pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Encom MP-9 and MP-45 assault pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them, including the Encom MP-9 and MP-45 mini pistols.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Federal XP-450 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the XP-900 Auto Pistol.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Heckler and Koch (HK) SP89 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Intratec Tec-9 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Tec-9S, Tec-9M, Tec-9MS, and any semi-automatic variants of them, including the Tec-DC9, Tec-DC9M, Tec-9A, Tec-Scorpion, Tec-22T and Tec-22TN.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Iver Johnson Enforcer Model 3000 Auto Pistol and the Iver Johnson Plainfield Super Enforcer Carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Skorpion Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Spectre Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Sterling Mk 7 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Sterling Mk 7 C4 and Sterling Mk 7 C8.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Universal Enforcer Model 3000 Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Universal Enforcer Model 3010N, Model 3015G, Model 3020TRB and Model 3025TCO Carbines.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the US Arms PMAIP “Assault” 22 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Goncz High-Tech Long Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Claridge Hi-Tec models S, L, T, ZL-9 and ZT-9 pistols.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Leader Mark 5 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the OA-93 assault pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the A.A. Arms AP9 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Patriot pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the XM 231S pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the A1, A2 and A3 Flattop pistols.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the AA Arms Model AP-9 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Target AP-9 and the Mini AP-9 pistols.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Kimel Industries AP-9 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Grendel P-30, P-30 M, P-30 L and P-31 pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Claridge HI-TEC ZL-9, HI-TEC S, HI-TEC L, HI-TEC T, HI-TEC ZT-9 and HI-TEC ZL-9 pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Steyr SPP Assault Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Maadi Griffin Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Interdynamics KG-99 Assault Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.

Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 12 (in effect since October 1, 1992)

• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Sterling Mk 6 Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Steyr AUG rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the UZI carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the UZI Model A carbine and the Mini-UZI carbine.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Ingram M10 and M11 pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them, including the Cobray M10 and M11 pistols, the RPB M10, M11, SM10 and SM11 pistols and the SWD M10, M11, SM10 and SM11 pistols.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Partisan Avenger Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the UZI pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Micro-UZI pistol.

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Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 13 (in effect since January 1, 1995)

• The firearm of the design commonly known as the AK-47 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it except for the Valmet Hunter, the Valmet Hunter Auto and the Valmet M78 rifles, but including the:
  • (a) AK-74;
  • (b) AK Hunter;
  • (c) AKM;
  • (d) AKM-63;
  • (e) AKS-56S;
  • (f) AKS-56S-1;
  • (g) AKS-56S-2;
  • (h) AKS-74;
  • (i) AKS-84S-1;
  • (j) AMD-65;
  • (k) AR Model .223;
  • (l) Dragunov;
  • (m) Galil;
  • (n) KKMPi69;
  • (o) M60;
  • (p) M62;
  • (q) M70B1;
  • (r) M70AB2;
  • (s) M76;
  • (t) M77B1;
  • (u) M78;
  • (v) M80;
  • (w) M80A;
  • (x) MAK90;
  • (y) MPiK;
  • (z) MPiKM;
  • (z.1) MPiKMS-72;
  • (z.2) MPiKS;
  • (z.3) PKM;
  • (z.4) PKM-DGN-60;
  • (z.5) PMKM;
  • (z.6) RPK;
  • (z.7) RPK-74;
  • (z.8) RPK-87S;
  • (z.9) Type 56;
  • (z.10) Type 56-1;
  • (z.11) Type 56-2;
  • (z.12) Type 56-3;
  • (z.13) Type 56-4;
  • (z.14) Type 68;
  • (z.15) Type 79;
  • (z.16) American Arms AKY39;
  • (z.17) American Arms AKF39;
  • (z.18) American Arms AKC47;
  • (z.19) American Arms AKF47;
  • (z.20) MAM70WS762;
  • (z.21) MAM70FS762;
  • (z.22) Mitchell AK-22;
  • (z.23) Mitchell AK-47;
  • (z.24) Mitchell Heavy Barrel AK-47;
  • (z.25) Norinco 84S;
  • (z.26) Norinco 84S AK;
  • (z.27) Norinco 56;
  • (z.28) Norinco 56-1;
  • (z.29) Norinco 56-2;
  • (z.30) Norinco 56-3;
  • (z.31) Norinco 56-4;
  • (z.32) Poly Technologies Inc. AK-47/S;
  • (z.33) Poly Technologies Inc. AKS-47/S;
  • (z.34) Poly Technologies Inc. AKS-762;
  • (z.35) Valmet M76;
  • (z.36) Valmet M76 carbine;
  • (z.37) Valmet M78/A2;
  • (z.38) Valmet M78 (NATO) LMG;
  • (z.39) Valmet M82; and
  • (z.40) Valmet M82 Bullpup.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Armalite AR-180 Sporter carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Beretta AR70 assault rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the BM 59 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including:
  • the Beretta
    • BM 59,
    • BM 59R,
    • BM 59GL,
    • BM 59D,
    • BM 59 Mk E,
    • BM 59 Mk I,
    • BM 59 Mk Ital,
    • BM 59 Mk II,
    • BM 59 Mk III,
    • BM 59 Mk Ital TA,
    • BM 59 Mk Ital Para,
    • BM 59 Mk Ital TP, and
    • BM 60CB; and
  • the Springfield Armory:
    • BM 59 Alpine,
    • BM 59 Alpine Paratrooper, and
    • BM 59 Nigerian Mk IV.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Bushmaster Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Cetme Sport Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Daewoo K1 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Daewoo K1A1, K2, Max 1, Max 2, AR-100, AR 110C, MAXI-II and KC-20.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Demro TAC-1M carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Demro XF-7 Wasp Carbine.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Eagle Apache Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the FN-FNC rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the FNC Auto Rifle, FNC Auto Paratrooper, FNC-11, FNC-22 and FNC-33.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the FN-FAL (FN-LAR) rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the FN 308 Model 44, FN-FAL (FN-LAR) Competition Auto, FN-FAL (FN-LAR) Heavy Barrel 308 Match, FN-FAL (FN-LAR) Paratrooper 308 Match 50-64 and FN 308 Model 50-63.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the G3 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Heckler and Koch:
  • HK 91;
  • HK 91A2;
  • HK 91A3;
  • HK G3 A3;
  • HK G3 A3 ZF;
  • HK G3 A4;
  • HK G3 SG/1; and
  • HK PSG1.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Galil assault rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the AP-84, Galil ARM, Galil AR, Galil SAR, Galil 332 and Mitchell Galil/22 Auto Rifle.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Goncz High-Tech Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Heckler and Koch HK 33 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the:
  • HK 33A2;
  • HK 33A3;
  • HK 33KA1;
  • HK 93;
  • HK 93A2; and
  • HK 93A3.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the J & R Eng M-68 carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the PJK M-68 and the Wilkinson Terry carbine.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Leader Mark Series Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the MP5 submachine gun and MP5 carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them, including the Heckler and Koch:
  • HK MP5;
  • HK MP5A2;
  • HK MP5A3;
  • HK MP5K;
  • HK MP5SD;
  • HK MP5SD1;
  • HK MP5SD2;
  • HK MP5SD3;
  • HK 94;
  • HK 94A2; and,
  • HK 94A3.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the PE57 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearms of the designs commonly known as the SG-550 rifle and SG-551 carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the SIG AMT rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Springfield Armory SAR-48 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the SAR-48 Bush, SAR-48 Heavy Barrel, SAR-48 Para and SAR-48 Model 22.
• The firearm of the design commonly known as the Thompson submachine gun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the:
  • Thompson Model 1921;
  • Thompson Model 1927;
  • Thompson Model 1928;
  • Thompson Model M1;
  • Auto-Ordnance M27A-1;
  • Auto-Ordnance M27A-1 Deluxe;
  • Auto-Ordnance M1927A-3;
  • Auto-Ordnance M1927A-5;
  • Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1;
  • Commando Arms Mk I;
  • Commando Arms Mk II;
  • Commando Arms Mk III;
  • Commando Arms Mk 9; and,
  • Commando Arms Mk 45.

Helen teaching Silvercore's Bear Defense

Several years ago, while conducting interviews for firearms instructors to work for my training company Silvercore Inc. I found myself face to face with a well dressed petite woman who on appearances alone one would not associate the words “Firearms Instructor” with.

I have a few rules when hiring, one of which is “don’t worry about trying to find the candidate with the perfect skill set, rather find the candidate with the perfect core values as the skill set can be taught”.  If we hire a candidate who knows the subject matter inside out but doesn’t have the core values their mother should have taught them, they won’t last long in our organization.  Bearing that in mind, I still had concerns about how this woman would be able to relate to a burly outdoorsman or have the voice and physical presence to control a firing line.  That was of course until we spoke and I had the opportunity to learn once again that you can’t judge a book by its cover.  Her name is Helen Rohrs and not only did she possess all of the important core values we require, but she also had a lot more to offer.

Here is her story:

“You’re not what I pictured.” By: Helen Rohrs.

“You’re not what I pictured…” is the expression I usually get on the face of 20 or so students as I step in front of them for the first time. “You’re not what we pictured as a firearms instructor… actually you’re not what we pictured as someone who would be into guns at all…”

I’ve become immune to the skeptical looks I get when I tell people I like guns or that I teach gun courses…or that I spent five years traipsing around the South African wilderness, as an armed, professional safari guide.

I guess it makes sense. When people think about firearms, especially big guns, they don’t usually associate them with a female, 5’5,’’ 120lb, art school graduate.

I didn’t become passionate about firearms out of the fun of it, but rather out of circumstance and necessity.

I’ve been around guns, in one way or another most of my life. I was born and spent my childhood in South Africa, and have fond memories of shooting pistols with my grandfather, hunting guinea fowl with shotguns on my grandmother’s farm, and participating in the ever-fun tin can shooting championships with my brother and cousins. (I was the youngest out of the bunch, and as a hopeless tomboy…could never be left out of the fun the boys in the family were having.) Guns were never a mystery to me, or a forbidden-fruit type enigma, only seen on TV and movies. I really didn’t think anything of them at all.

My family immigrated to Canada when I turned ten. After graduating high school, I immediately entered art school, where my weapon of choice became a swift paintbrush.

After getting my degree I felt the African wilderness of my childhood beckoning me back. Without hesitation, I enrolled in a South African game ranger course. The training involved tenting it for a month, next to a dry riverbed in a South African game reserve. While sharing camp with lions, leopard, elephants, rhino, buffalo, and their kin; I learned the basic skills of animal tracking, bush craft and field guiding.

As African safari guiding requires one to carry a rifle for protection against the potential of an animal attack, the day came when I found myself on a dusty patch of ground, the hot African sun, high in the sky above beating down on me, squinting at a makeshift cardboard target. An instructor handed me the rifle.. a hefty .458 bolt action. I pressed the butt against my shoulder and lowered my cheek to the wooden stock. My arms trembled with anticipation as I looked through the open sites and readied my finger on the trigger. As I slowly depressed the trigger the loud, jolting CRACK took me by surprise. I’m not even sure if I hit that target on that first shot, as the adrenaline surged through me. But, I knew at that moment, my life would never be the same.

Upon completion of the course, I went on to spend some time at a private safari lodge, in the Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger) Game Reserve. There, while volunteering my services to the lodge and the surrounding rural communities outside the reserve, I really began to integrate myself into the environment. In return for my work, I received further training and gained experience from the local guides and trackers, many of whom had spent a lifetime living and working in the remote, surrounding area. It wasn’t long before I found myself in tune with the wildlife and the surroundings.

As time passed, I was given the opportunity to work as an animal tracker. (Tracking game for tourists visiting the reserve to partake in photographic safaris.) Who would have thought? A young woman, taking on the job, traditionally afforded to the local tribal men from the region. I was given a great chance, and took to it like a “ravenous lioness on a fresh zebra kill”.

When tracking wildlife, in a dangerous game area, one has to carry a high caliber rifle. Often we would find ourselves face to face with the “Big 5.” (Lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard.) Sometimes these encounters, on foot, would be hair-raising, and having a rifle close at hand, was a big comfort.

It wasn’t long before my rifle, became an extension of myself. It never left my side as I spent my days, following spoor through acacia thickets and riverbeds, watching and listening for animal signs.

After some time and a serious case of “Khaki Fever” (Khaki fever is the affectionate name given to the spell young women fall under as they fall in love with African game rangers, who wear Khaki uniforms… this is a whole story unto itself!), my soon to be Game Ranger husband and myself, moved on to a safari lodge in the Manyeleti Game Reserve.

Here, I’d been hired to work as a full time safari guide. Interestingly, I was the first female guide that this lodge had ever taken on. Once again, I immersed myself into my work and the new reserve… which to me was a true, wild Eden. Within months I was promoted to Head Ranger, and was placed in charge of their Safari Department.

Typical duties were to host and guide travelers, by 4X4 vehicle, or on foot, to seek out creatures both great and small. It was not only my responsibility to protect myself against the potential hazards Mother Nature had to offer in this unforgiving place, but also to also protect these people who trusted me to lead them through the wilds. It was now more than ever, that my .375 Holland and Holland Magnum rifle became my faithful tool.

However, soon enough, I realized that not only was I to protect myself and the travelers against the wildlife, I had to also protect the wildlife and it’s environment from those wishing to do harm. It became customary to find myself chasing illegal poachers, during the darkness of night, through the dangerous bush. As soon as the radio calls would come through, asking for help with anti-poaching, I’d have to jump to action and once again my rifle was always in hand as I ran out the door… not knowing what I was going to encounter out there.

Eventually, the time came when I was to return to Canada. I had to leave behind the African wilderness, the creatures, and the need to never be without my rifle at my side. The next couple of years were spent establishing a new life in the city.

One day, an opportunity presented itself to me in an online ad, seeking instructors to teach firearms courses in and around Vancouver. Silvercore Training hired me to instruct firearm safety, hunting, handgun, and bear defense courses.

Once again, I was in my element! My passion for firearms, along with my passion to share my knowledge and experience with people, melded together, as I embarked on this new journey, as a firearms instructor.

As I stand before a classroom of students, quizzical looks on their faces, wondering what I am doing before them. I smile to myself, thinking of the journey that has brought me here, to this point and I can’t wait to see where this adventure of mine will take me next.

Obtaining a firearms license in Canada is not as daunting of a task as some may lead you to believe, it does however require that you have some basic firearms knowledge as well have the ability to pass a criminal record check.

Firearms Licenses in Canada are broken down into the following categories:

• Adult aged 18 or older Possession and Acquisition License (or P.A.L.)
• Adult Possession Only License (or P.O.L.)
• Minors Firearms License (under the age of 18)

Possession and Acquisition License:

Individuals aged 18 years or older can make application for a Possession and Acquisition License.  In order to do so, they must first successfully complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course  and if wishing to possess restricted firearms they must also show successful completion of the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.   The issued PAL will indicate the classes of firearms the holder is able to possess and acquire in writing on the back.

The Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) (which is discussed here) can be completed or challenged.  Those wishing to challenge these courses will need to have a background in the safe handling of various types of firearms, knowledge in the various aspects of firearms and ammunition, as well as a strong understanding of Canada’s firearms laws and regulations.  A resource that many have used to assist them in their studies can be found at www.firearms-safety-course.com in which both of the manuals are available to read in a .pdf format as well as videos created by www.silvercore.ca instructors guide viewers through a demonstration of operating the common firearm actions that individuals will be tested on.  There is also a comprehensive testing feature where users can self assess their personal level of firearms knowledge.

Upon successful completion of the CFSC/CRFSC the applicant must complete an application including a passport style photo and processing fee and submit to a criminal record check, background check and reference check.  There is a mandatory 28 day waiting period that takes effect from when the Canadian Firearms Program receives and applicants request to the time of issuance.  As of writing this, the typical wait time is approximately 45 days.

The fee for a PAL is $60 for non-restricted, $80 for restricted or prohibited (grandfathered or inherited prohibited firearms).  If an applicant is wishing to have multiple endorsements on their license, the maximum fee is $80.  Currently, the renewal of a PAL is free up until May 16 2011.

Possession Only License or P.O.L:

The Possession Only Licenses or P.O.L was created in an attempt to promote compliance with Canada’s firearms regulations.  When the Canadian Firearms Center (now named the Canadian Firearms Program) first introduced it’s new licensing system in 1994 it called it’s firearms license the Firearms Acquisition License or F.A.C.  Many firearms owners complained stating that they had no intention of “acquiring” any firearms as they already had the firearms they wanted.  This prompted the change to the new license which clearly stipulated that it was needed to both possess and acquire.

Those who possessed firearms but did not want to take a course to obtain more simply made application to be issued with a P.O.L.  These individuals were still subjected to the same screening requirements but were not required to show any knowledge or proficiency in the safe handling and firearms laws.

Anyone who currently has a valid POL and is still in possession of firearms is eligible to renew their license but as of writing this, the firearms center is currently not allowing the issuance of new P.O.L’s.

If an individual let their P.O.L lapse any grandfathered firearms they may own will loose their grandfathered status (prohibited firearms) and will have to be lawfully disposed of.  This, along with many other points, lead many Canadian firearms owners to decry the firearms licensing system and registration stating that it simply leads to confiscation.

Although it hasn’t always been the case, those who let their P.O.L. lapse can currently have it renewed with the current expiration date on this “privilege” expiring on May 16 2011.  As of writing this, anyone with a lapsed POL after that date will either need to obtain a PAL or legally dispose of their firearms.

Currently the $60 fee to renew a POL is being waived with an expiration date of May 16 2011

Minors License:

The Minors Firearms License is generally reserved for youths younger than 18 but older than 12.  Some exceptions have been made for those under the age of 12 but that usually requires a Chief Firearms Officer to approve based on the Childs need to hunt for sustenance.

The Minors Firearms License will allow the holder to acquire ammunition and be in possession of a non-restricted (typically rifle or shotgun) firearm.  As a general rule, a minors license will not allow the holder to acquire a firearm but that is a matter up for debate as I have been informed that in certain circumstances this has been waived (for example when a minor is a competitive shooter yet the parents or guardians do not or can not obtain a firearms licenses themselves).

The minor is required to take and successfully complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.  The option to challenge the course is not available to minors as it is to adults.  As a general rule, minors are not permitted to obtain a license allowing them to possess restricted or prohibited firearms (typically handguns or firearms deemed to require stricter legislation due to its size or aesthetics).

In most cases, the issuance of a minor’s license is strictly up to the Chief Firearms Officers discretion and will require a formal meeting with the minor as well as a parent or guardian.

Currently the fee for a minor’s license is $10/year to a maximum of $30 for over 2 years.

Travis Bader

CEO

Firearms Canada Inc.