Handguns have always been extremely tightly controlled in Canada. Even before the recent sales ban you couldn't have one at home unless it was locked away - it

Handguns have always been extremely tightly controlled in Canada. Even before the recent sales ban you couldn't have one at home unless it was locked away - it's not like you can have it in your bedside drawer. The only time you can transport it anywhere is to/from the gun range. In transit it must be locked away, and you have to get a permit to make that drive. Also note you're in big trouble if you get caught buying groceries on the way to/from the gun range and you have the handgun locked in your trunk. It has always been illegal to carry a handgun on your person, and you can't hunt with them either. Note: I have a "non-restricted" firearms license, which means shotguns & long rifles (bolt action, small magazines), and it's fairly straightforward to get the license to own those weapons. They dropped the "long gun registry" a few years back because stats show crimes are not committed with long guns. That means long guns are no longer registered, the government has no idea who owns what in terms of long guns. Handguns are a WHOLE different story.