Introduction, looking to be a legal gun owner...

[labradort]

In Canada, you can't just buy a hand gun and store it at home. You need to do your restricted PAL, which involves references and background checks. I believe you also must belong to a range. There is no other place you can use a hand gun peacefully, so this is required. Some ranges in the GTO area are very picky about who can join, from what relatives have told me.

You're right that you want to avoid advertising gun ownership. Use a moniker on forums, never your real name. Personally, I would avoid ordering a firearm online if there was a store option I could drive to. I once ordered some 22 ammunition which came in a square box from Cabelas via UPS. I found a 4 inch gash along the box edge, and there was a sticker from the store with something like "dangerous goods" on it. The UPS guy might get some payment to tell someone where he has delivered guns or ammo. Some people might think that is too paranoid, but why wouldn't criminals pursue a great source of information like that in the city?

It's really no different than the security of anything valuable. I travelled in Europe when I was young wearing a sweatshirt and green work pants. Another Canadian from the hostel arrives at the restaurant 5 minutes after me, having travelled through the same alley, and was mugged. He was wearing a straw hat and rock band T-shirt, standing out like someone on vacation. I carried my 35mm camera in an old vintage pack sack, wrapped in a sweater, not a camera bag labelled Pentax or whatever. You can do something similar. Taking the restricted firearm to the range can be made more obscure by placing the locked case inside a reusable shopping bag or something else that doesn't attract attention. Don't put firearm related stickers on your car, don't wear tactical gear, etc., and you won't get any attention.

[tdod101]

Everything you need to know is at the RCMP firearms website. Get your licence first and take the safety courses. You will learn alot. My advice is to stay away from gun politics untill you have a few years of gun ownership under your belt. You'll drive your self crazy with our stupid laws. Learn to enjoy shooting first and follow the rules.

[Jpnguyento]

my storage box is bolting / lagged to a concrete floor and wall studs,, in a secure locked closet.. none of my guns are hidden,, to easy for children to find ,, always stored safely

And Welcome,,

Perhaps in my situation, I'm the only person who knows about the storage of a firearm in my home. Safety measures will be taken, storage, gun lock, etc. hiding it... then hiding from my family is the greatest task... My opinion has always been better to have and not need, then need and not have ready to go... My family don't share my opinions, and so you can understand why if I owned a firearm, it can't be in the open...

[awndray]

and so you can understand why if I owned a firearm, it can't be in the open...

No. No. And no. Bad idea.

[Jpnguyento]

Hi there,

You seem quite nervous and a little skittish on legally owning a firearm. Until you find a way to be comfortable with the idea I would avoid owning one.

Steps you need to take:

1) Take a registered firearms safety course and be sure you understand all the rules regulations and legislation

2) while you are waiting for the few months it takes for the government to process all the paperwork, buy and install a quality safe in your home. Make it as big as you can afford. Guns are like potatoe chips, you cant have just one.

3) take all the classes you can at the club you join regarding safe handling and storage. Ask questions.

4) dont refer to yourself as a survivalist. I am good with it I get it - beans bandaids and bullets - but this type of thinking is currently taboo and in the US it will get you on the "no fly" list faster than you can curse a KSG for not loading properly. Keep those thoughts and ideas to those who share them with you. Instead, openly talk about bushcrafting, homesteading and wilderness emergency preparedness. We know what you really mean. Plus, survivalists are discredited all the time as being paranoid and conspiracy theorists. While we know the government lies to us on a daily basis wait until you get your hall pass before you spout off on it.

5) just relax. There are millions of gun owners in Canada. When you look at the real stats its safer than being a liscenced automobile driver. And if you keep your love of your hobby to friends you can trust i would imagine it isnt something to worry to hard on.

Hello you are correct, I am a little nervous about owning one if ever. The issues are never about me personally, but rather it concerns love ones. I didn't grow up around guns, seen illegal guns before, had one pointed at me by this thug... It's seems I'm paranoid yes... but it's more so because I want to hear opinions and view the different angles and scenarios of owning a gun. I ask specific questions looking for answers, if it makes sense to me it's knowledge I've obtain...

1) I'm looking into it, I believe the firearms safety course it's about 8-10 hrs then a test I think? Got to look at the link again.

2) if I own one, it will only be one...

3) if I own one I will take every measure to keep it safe, and learn all I can to handle it, and to be a competent owner

4) I think I said I'm somewhat of a survivalist... But anyways what I meant is I enjoy the outdoors, camping, and fishing, getting dirty... As you know... Yes it's taboo that guns and survivalists in places like US goes hand in hand, painted negatively as anti government I'm sure... That's a whole different subject matter brother... Lol

Thank you for your input.

[RobertMcC]

If your trying to hide it from your family. You might as well not have them because you wont be able to.

If they find out it, It be worst than telling them.

[Jpnguyento]

In Canada, you can't just buy a hand gun and store it at home. You need to do your restricted PAL, which involves references and background checks. I believe you also must belong to a range. There is no other place you can use a hand gun peacefully, so this is required. Some ranges in the GTO area are very picky about who can join, from what relatives have told me.

You're right that you want to avoid advertising gun ownership. Use a moniker on forums, never your real name. Personally, I would avoid ordering a firearm online if there was a store option I could drive to. I once ordered some 22 ammunition which came in a square box from Cabelas via UPS. I found a 4 inch gash along the box edge, and there was a sticker from the store with something like "dangerous goods" on it. The UPS guy might get some payment to tell someone where he has delivered guns or ammo. Some people might think that is too paranoid, but why wouldn't criminals pursue a great source of information like that in the city?

It's really no different than the security of anything valuable. I travelled in Europe when I was young wearing a sweatshirt and green work pants. Another Canadian from the hostel arrives at the restaurant 5 minutes after me, having travelled through the same alley, and was mugged. He was wearing a straw hat and rock band T-shirt, standing out like someone on vacation. I carried my 35mm camera in an old vintage pack sack, wrapped in a sweater, not a camera bag labelled Pentax or whatever. You can do something similar. Taking the restricted firearm to the range can be made more obscure by placing the locked case inside a reusable shopping bag or something else that doesn't attract attention. Don't put firearm related stickers on your car, don't wear tactical gear, etc., and you won't get any attention.

In the US, I hear about Walmart selling guns... Pick up some clothes, groceries... And oh yeah and a Glock while I'm there... I've seen videos, properganda perhaps... of legal gun dealers selling guns and ammo at shows, without asking for proper identification... Buying a gun altogether is a lot easier as its more obtainable, it being their second ammendment and all... I don't know the statistics of how many Gun owners there are in Ontario... But I would imagine if the ranges are tight on who can join, it would make sense that one would have to prove they can handle it... I suppose that one can't just store A gun in house indefinitely, without having to take it to a range and actually put it to use...

As I stated I may sound paranoid but with good reason... I know from growing up, that there are really bad folks out there... non law abiding, greedy... Evil.. I've seen it... So when it comes to safety, in my perspective I need to know and cover all aspects of the possibility of danger... Liberal mentality doesn't work for me, that's a different subject altogether...

You sound like a street educated person brother... Cheers...

[Jpnguyento]

Thanks friends for all the wonderful advice and input... I'll stop here as this thread was intended for people to introduce themselves... As such... Hi I'm J.P. from Ontario, really interested in being a gun owner but in truth weighing pros and cons of ownership... Taking the small steps of educating myself in the laws and obligations of an owner... I don't want to be just some random guy saying "Guns are cool... I want one!"... I want it to be done right and learn first.... Cheers all!

[RobertMcC]

In the US, I hear about Walmart selling guns... Pick up some clothes, groceries... And oh yeah and a Glock while I'm there... I've seen videos, properganda perhaps... of legal gun dealers selling guns and ammo at shows, without asking for proper identification... Buying a gun altogether is a lot easier as its more obtainable, it being their second ammendment and all... I don't know the statistics of how many Gun owners there are in Ontario... But I would imagine if the ranges are tight on who can join, it would make sense that one would have to prove they can handle it... I suppose that one can't just store A gun in house indefinitely, without having to take it to a range and actually put it to use...

As I stated I may sound paranoid but with good reason... I know from growing up, that there are really bad folks out there... non law abiding, greedy... Evil.. I've seen it... So when it comes to safety, in my perspective I need to know and cover all aspects of the possibility of danger... Liberal mentality doesn't work for me, that's a different subject altogether...

You sound like a street educated person brother... Cheers...

This ain't the US. I live in the ghetto ( well low income and many cultures ) And I secure them solid within the law and more and that's it. I do my part to hide them or let my neighbors know. The way your going it sounds like your up to no good or expecting black choppers to hover over and men in black repel down to get you.

Thanks friends for all the wonderful advice and input... I'll stop here as this thread was intended for people to introduce themselves... As such... Hi I'm J.P. from Ontario, really interested in being a gun owner but in truth weighing pros and cons of ownership... Taking the small steps of educating myself in the laws and obligations of an owner... I don't want to be just some random guy saying "Guns are cool... I want one!"... I want it to be done right and learn first.... Cheers all!

Be less paranoid. Educate yourself on Canada laws not US. Why worry about stuff that doesn't matter because doesn't effect you. Its not that hard to be a firearm owner and nothing you should be ashamed to hide. I just hide because where I live.

[Swampdonkey]

Welcome to GOC.

Good introduction. Way better than "Hi, I'm new here". You actually said something about yourself, which means reading it wasn't a waste of time.

This place is new and growing, lots of learning going on. Thanks for joining, please be active and honest.