Hi simplest,
>>> 1.) Does one needs any special license or some sort to keep or buy
the airsoft guns?
It all depends under which category the airsoft gun falls under. The
four categories are:
1. Air guns that are firearms for purposes of both the Firearms Act
and the Criminal Code.
These are air guns with both a high muzzle velocity (greater than
152.4 meters or 500 feet per second) and a high muzzle energy (greater
than 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot-pounds).
2. Air guns that meet the Criminal Code definition of a firearm, but
that are deemed not to be firearms for certain purposes of the
Firearms Act and Criminal Code.
These are air guns with a maximum muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters or
500 feet per second and/or a maximum muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or
4.2 foot pounds.
3. Air guns that are replica firearms
These are air guns that are not powerful enough to cause serious
injury or death, but that were designed to resemble a real firearm
with near precision. Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique
firearms, are classified as prohibited devices.
4. Air guns that are neither firearms nor replicas
These are air guns that are not powerful enough to be classified as
firearms and that do not resemble a real firearm closely enough to be
considered a replica. An example would be a harmless air gun made out
of clear plastic or a device that is obviously a child?s toy.
The best thing to do is to call 1-800-731-4000 ext. 1060 to find out
which category your particular make and model falls under. Assuming
the airsoft gun you are interested in falls under category # 3, the
answer to your question is that is is a prohibited device in Canada
and only those devices owned before December 1, 1998 are legal. I've
copied and pasted some relevant sections below from the Canada
Firearms Centre website, but please click on the links for full
details.
3. Air guns that are replica firearms
"These are air guns that are not powerful enough to cause serious
injury or death, but that were designed to resemble a real firearm
with near precision. Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique
firearms, are classified as prohibited devices.
In particular, some air guns that are COMMONLY CALLED AIR SOFT GUNS
may fall into this category. These are devices that have a low muzzle
velocity and muzzle energy, and that usually discharge projectiles
made out of a substance such as plastic or wax rather than metal or
lead.
Although replica firearms are prohibited, you may keep any that you
owned on December 1, 1998. You do not need a licence to possess them,
and they do not need to be registered. However, as an individual, you
cannot import or acquire a replica firearm. If you take a replica
firearm out of Canada, you will not be able to bring it back in.
The Criminal Code sets out some penalties for using a replica firearm
or any other imitation firearm to commit a crime.
The Canada Firearms Centre (CAFC) receives many enquiries from people
wondering whether a low-powered air gun would be considered a replica
if it resembles a real firearm in terms of its shape and size, but it
is made of clear or brightly coloured plastic, or is much smaller in
size.
Many of these devices have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As
a general rule, however, those made out of clear plastic and those
that are significantly smaller than the real version are not
classified as replicas. Brightly coloured paint does not necessarily
exclude a device from the definition of a replica. If you have
questions about a particular make and model of air gun you may contact
a firearms technician by calling 1 800 731-4000, ext 1060."
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/airguns_e.asp
Replica Firearms Factsheet
"Here is some information on how the Firearms Act and Criminal Code
apply to replica firearms. A replica firearm is a device that is not a
real firearm, but that was designed to look exactly or almost exactly
like a real firearm, other than an antique firearm."
"Replica firearms are prohibited."
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/replica_e.asp
>>> 2.) Can anyone apply the license and how can I apply?
Assuming the device falls under category # 1:
Licensing
A licence is your authorization to possess and register a firearm and
to obtain ammunition. Your licence must be kept current for as long as
you possess firearms in Canada. The types of licences are as follows:
For Canadian Residents 18 and Older:
* The Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) is the only licence
currently available to new applicants. It is renewable every five
years. The fee to renew a licence is waived until May 17, 2008. As a
general rule, applicants must have passed the Canadian Firearms Safety
Course.
For Individuals aged 12 to 17
* A Minors' Licence will enable young people to borrow a
non-restricted rifle or shotgun for approved purposes such as hunting
or target shooting. Generally, the minimum age is 12 years, but
exceptions may be made for younger people who need to hunt to sustain
themselves and their families. Applicants must have taken the Canadian
Firearms Safety Course and passed the test. The fee to renew a minor?s
licence is waived until May 17, 2008.
* Once a person turns 18, they are no longer eligible for a minor?s
licence. Instead, they must apply for a Possession and Acquisition
Licence (PAL) and pay the applicable fee. Currently, the fee only
applies to the first PAL. Fees to renew a licence or modify licence
privileges are waived until May 17, 2008.
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/licensing/default_e.asp
Application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence Under the
Firearms Act (For Individuals Aged 18 and Over)
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/online-en_ligne/form-assistance/indiv_forms/921_e.asp
Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/compliance-conformite/safety-surete/safety_course_e.asp
CFSC and CRFSC Contact Information
"To obtain local information about the CFSC and CRFSC, please contact
the number provided below or call 1 800 731-4000 (toll-free) and an
operator will transfer your call."
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/compliance-conformite/safety-surete/contacts_e.asp
3.) Does getting the license reduces the risk of getting the airsoft
guns being seized by custom when doing online purchases?
Canada Firearms Centre
"...Only the Possession and Acquisition Licence will allow you to
acquire or permanently import a firearm."
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/licensing/default_e.asp
Can I import airsoft guns into Canada?
"The short answer is no. The Canada Border Services Agency
(http://www.cbsa.gc.ca) (formerly Canada Customs and Revenue Agency)
has a directive that says airsoft guns are replicas and are thus
prohibited from importation."
How do dealers then import airsoft?
"Dealers have purchased a Business Firearms License that has a
provision for Prohibited Devices, i.e. replica firearms. A rumor as of
late indicates that some now state Airsoft specifically, although this
remains to be confirmed."
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/archive/index.php/t-26773.html
Researching your question has been interesting. If you have any
questions, please post a clarification request and wait for me to
respond before closing/rating my answer.
Thank you,
hummer
Google, Department of Justice, and Canada Border Services Agency Search Terms:
Canadian Firearms Centre
airsoft guns canada
canada firearms license
canada aeg gun license
air guns canada
canada import airsoft guns
canada customs airsoft guns |
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
22 Jul 2006 08:38 PDT
Hi simplest,
1. Does the license allow me to keep only one airsoft or two is fine
as long as it fits the license I have?
The license will allow you to possess firearms. The next step is to
register each gun (one registration per gun). An analogy might be
having to possess a driver's license plus registrations for each car
you own.
"You need a valid firearms licence if you are in possession of a
firearm, including a borrowed firearm, or if you wish to acquire
firearms and ammunition by any means, including as a gift."
"You need a valid registration certificate for each firearm in your possession."
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/owner_e.asp
Before you can register your firearms, you must have a valid firearms
licence - either a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) or a
Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). If you are a non-resident
and do not have a valid FAC or PAL, refer to the section for
non-residents for other options.
Before you register your firearms, they must also be verified by an
approved verifier:
* they are being registered for the first time; or
* they are being transferred to a new owner and have not previously
been verified; or
* they have been modified so that their description has changed; or
* the Registrar requests that they be verified to confirm their
description or classification.
Call 1 800 731-4000 for help to verify a firearm.
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/online-en_ligne/need_before_registration_e.asp
2. Also, looks like the PAL license also available for non-canadian
citizens if one has taken the CFSC and CRFSC?
Yes, PAL is available to all Canadian residents (citizenship is not a
requirement).
Canadian Residents
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/residents/default_e.asp
However, for non-residents, see the following link.
Visitors / Non-Residents
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/non-residents/default_e.asp
Regards,
hummer
|
