The possession and acquisition licence (PAL; ) is a firearms licence in Canada that permits eligible individuals to carry and possess firearms in Canada. Applicants must be a Canadian resident and 18 years of age or older, with a alternative standard set for minors ages 12âÂÂ17 and Indigenous people of Canada.
All PAL applicants need to undergo a series of background checks, security screenings, safety training, and mental and physical health examinations in order to be eligible for a PAL. PAL holders are not given unconditional rights to transport and carry firearms in a public setting, and need to possess a valid authorization to transport or authorization to carry permit issued by their respective chief firearms officer (CFO)
In Canada, firearms are classified into prohibited, restricted and non-restricted categories. The correct and corresponding PAL is required to acquire and possess the category of firearm (i.e, PAL for non-restricted, RPAL for restricted, Prohib 12.x for prohibited).
PALs were introduced in Canada in 1995 as part of Bill C-68 as a replacement for the FAC (firearms acquisition certificate) system. Whereas the FAC was only required to acquire a firearm, a PAL is required to both acquire and possess firearms and to acquire ammunition. A PAL for non-restricted firearms allows its holders to acquire and possess any non-restricted firearm, while an RPAL for restricted firearms allows the holder to acquire and possess restricted firearms. Only those who are grandfathered into the prohibited-class of firearms (12.2, 12.3 etc.) are able to acquire and possess prohibited firearms.
When first implemented, the PAL also allowed the holder to acquire a crossbow, although no licence was required to possess one. There is no longer a licensing requirement for purchasing crossbows.
Since December 15, 2023, a PAL is required to acquire cartridge magazines, the same as for acquiring ammunition.
All licensing of firearms in Canada is managed by the Canadian Firearms Program of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In the Canadian system, there are three classes of firearms and firearm licences: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited.
A possession and acquisition licence allows individuals in Canada to possess and acquire firearms as well as ammunition. Licences are typically valid for five years and must be renewed prior to expiry to maintain the licensed classes. If a person possessing a PAL is convicted of certain offences, the PAL can be revoked. If a person does not renew their PAL prior to its expiration date or if they have their PAL revoked, they must legally dispose of any firearms in their possession. A licence for prohibited firearms can be issued to qualifying businesses, and very rarely to individuals (firearms they own, as the gun laws changed over time.) Previous convictions for serious violent, drug or weapons offences almost invariably result in the denial of the application. Licences are valid for five years and must be renewed prior to expiry to maintain the classes on the licence.
A PAL is generally obtained in the following three steps:
Other firearm licences for individuals include:
NOTE: While issued licences read either "Possession ⢠Acquisition" or "Possession Only", the Firearms Act and regulations refer to either "possession and acquisition licence" or "possession licence", without the word only.