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View Full Version : Total newbie questions for Nova Scotia gun ownership.



panaka09
02-06-2020, 09:08 PM
Good day guys,

I am currently living outside Canada for few years and upon my return to NS I would like to buy handgun. What are the procedures I have to follow? Police registration etc.. etc..

Plus if you point me out where I can purchase 9mm handgun it will be very useful for me. I searched internet but since I am not in Canada right now I cant go and check in person what they offer.

Thank you!

Battle Beaver
02-06-2020, 09:22 PM
Everything you need to know is here

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms

panaka09
02-07-2020, 12:27 AM
Everything you need to know is here

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms

Thank you!

Sorry one more question. Which one of the two I should take, assumingly I am above 18. Non-restricted or restricted?

labradort
02-07-2020, 06:01 AM
If you are unaware of the classes of firearms, there might be a learning curve about our laws.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/classes-firearms

If you prefer to watch a video rather than read, it is discussed here:

https://youtu.be/ewseb59lLzk

Doug_M
02-07-2020, 06:11 AM
In order to purchase a handgun (which is restricted) you need to take both as you cannot take just the restricted. You take the non-restricted first and then the restricted. Often they are offered back to back.

SIR VEYOR
02-07-2020, 11:12 AM
Where in NS are you from, and where are you now? There might be some expats or similar near you.

labradort
02-07-2020, 11:49 AM
Reality is, you're months away from having that 9MM, so you can wait until you are living here to do the shopping.

First thing you need to do after moving here is schedule for a PAL class.

https://www.safetyservicesns.ca/restricted-firearms-safety

Click on the View Schedule link to see where and when they are offered. Right now there are some listed up until end of March. I think you need to take PAL course first and then RPAL after that. I don't think any of the RPAL ones are doing PAL+RPAL back to back, although I've heard of it happening in the past before Safety Services ran it.

You need to take the PAL class and pass it. Then you can take the RPAL class. Pass that. Complete the license paperwork and send to RCMP. Wait a month or two. Look into ranges close to where you will live. If you can join your RPAL conditions include being able to use a handgun at a range (there is no other legal purpose in Nova Scotia).

If you don't have Canadian citizenship, it is more complicated than this outline. If you have not been in Canada for a long time I don't know if the police background check might not go as smoothly.

Justice
02-07-2020, 12:14 PM
"...the classes of firearms..." That should be taught on the PAL course.
There's a .pdf of the manual here. https://firingline.ca/training/manual
Where you end up living in NS will matter, but only for finding an instructor and a shooting club to join. Not all clubs will be accepting new members either.

panaka09
02-07-2020, 09:29 PM
Where in NS are you from, and where are you now? There might be some expats or similar near you.

I live in Halifax, but currently reside in Saudi Arabia for another 8 - 10 months until my contract ends. I am planing to come back for an week in May, so if I am able to schedule a course that would be great. Just to summarize:

1. non restricted arms course
2. restricted arms course
3. apply at the Halifax police for gun license.


between 1 and 2 I might have pretty big gap, is that an issue?

And thank you for the info I already started to read the students handbook.

SIR VEYOR
02-08-2020, 07:11 AM
I live in Halifax, but currently reside in Saudi Arabia for another 8 - 10 months until my contract ends. I am planing to come back for an week in May, so if I am able to schedule a course that would be great. Just to summarize:

1. non restricted arms course
2. restricted arms course
3. apply at the Halifax police for gun license.


between 1 and 2 I might have pretty big gap, is that an issue?

And thank you for the info I already started to read the students handbook.

1&2 can be same weekend/subsequent days. Book early, some instructors can even do weekdays. Depending on route back, stop over in another part of country could get it done as well. Nationwide course, if you’ll pay, someone will do the course when you want it.

3 isn’t required AFAIK. Covered with your application mailed in after completed course. And ways to check progress online and answer anything they need remotely too.

Depending on the field, I might have to ask more about the job and what intermediary you’re using.

Doug_M
02-08-2020, 08:00 AM
I live in Halifax, but currently reside in Saudi Arabia for another 8 - 10 months until my contract ends. I am planing to come back for an week in May, so if I am able to schedule a course that would be great.

The Nova Scotia government contracts out these courses. Here is the current contractor https://www.safetyservicesns.ca/nonrestricted-firearms-safety-course and here is the schedule https://www.hmcgroup.ca/Education/CFSC/cfsc_reg_step3.asp

panaka09
02-08-2020, 09:20 AM
Depending on the field, I might have to ask more about the job and what intermediary you’re using.

That's not a problem believe me. Every time coming back to Canada I am asked at least on two occasions what I am doing in KSA and what is my job... :confused1:. Looks like every airport custom services are getting triggered when they see so many KSA/ME stamps in the passport..

panaka09
02-08-2020, 09:20 AM
The Nova Scotia government contracts out these courses. Here is the current contractor https://www.safetyservicesns.ca/nonrestricted-firearms-safety-course and here is the schedule https://www.hmcgroup.ca/Education/CFSC/cfsc_reg_step3.asp

Thank you!