PAL Firearm Classification and Restrictions — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the maximum legal magazine capacity for a centre-fire semi-automatic long gun in Canada?

3 rounds
5 rounds (Correct answer)
10 rounds
15 rounds

Correct answer: 5 rounds

Canadian law prohibits magazines holding more than 5 cartridges for centre-fire semi-automatic long guns.

Question 2: A fully automatic firearm that fires multiple rounds with a single trigger pull is classified as:

Non-restricted
Restricted
Prohibited (Correct answer)
Controlled

Correct answer: Prohibited

Automatic firearms that fire more than one projectile per trigger pull are classified as prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Question 3: What barrel length threshold determines if a handgun is classified as prohibited rather than restricted?

80mm or less
100mm or less
105mm or less (Correct answer)
120mm or less

Correct answer: 105mm or less

Handguns with a barrel length of 105mm or less are classified as prohibited firearms under the Criminal Code.

Question 4: A handgun chambered to fire .25 caliber cartridges is classified as:

Non-restricted
Restricted
Prohibited regardless of barrel length (Correct answer)
Restricted if barrel is over 105mm

Correct answer: Prohibited regardless of barrel length

Handguns designed to fire .25 or .32 caliber cartridges are prohibited regardless of barrel length under Canadian law.

Question 5: What is the maximum legal magazine capacity for a handgun in Canada?

5 rounds
8 rounds
10 rounds (Correct answer)
15 rounds

Correct answer: 10 rounds

Handguns are restricted to magazines holding no more than 10 cartridges under Canadian firearms regulations.

Question 6: Which of the following long guns would be classified as non-restricted?

A semi-automatic centre-fire rifle converted from an automatic firearm
A bolt-action hunting rifle with a 600mm barrel (Correct answer)
A semi-automatic shotgun with a barrel shorter than 457mm
A lever-action rifle chambered exclusively for pistol cartridges

Correct answer: A bolt-action hunting rifle with a 600mm barrel

A standard bolt-action hunting rifle with an adequate barrel length is non-restricted, as it is not automatic, restricted, or prohibited.

Question 7: Which organization is responsible for administering the Canadian Firearms Program?

Canada Border Services Agency
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (Correct answer)
Department of National Defence
Public Safety Canada

Correct answer: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP administers the Canadian Firearms Program, which includes processing PAL applications and maintaining firearms records.

Question 8: Which of the following activities is a restricted firearm generally permitted to be used for?

Hunting wildlife in provincial forests
Target shooting at an approved range (Correct answer)
Wildlife population control
Personal protection while camping

Correct answer: Target shooting at an approved range

Restricted firearms may only be used for target shooting at approved ranges, collecting, or as otherwise specifically authorized.

Question 9: An Authorization to Transport (ATT) for a restricted firearm permits the holder to transport it to:

Any location in Canada without restriction
Only the locations specified in the authorization (Correct answer)
Any Canadian province but not territories
Only within the province where the firearm is registered

Correct answer: Only the locations specified in the authorization

An ATT specifies the exact locations to and from which a restricted firearm may be legally transported.

Question 10: A person with a non-restricted PAL wishes to acquire a restricted firearm. What additional authorization do they require?

A completely new PAL application
A restricted firearms endorsement on their PAL (Correct answer)
Written approval from the Chief Firearms Officer only
A temporary acquisition permit valid for 30 days

Correct answer: A restricted firearms endorsement on their PAL

To acquire and possess restricted firearms, a PAL holder must obtain a restricted firearms endorsement added to their existing licence.

Question 11: For a restricted firearm to be legally registered in Canada, registration must be completed through:

The local police department
The provincial firearms office
The Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) (Correct answer)
The firearm's original manufacturer

Correct answer: The Canadian Firearms Program (CFP)

All restricted and prohibited firearms must be registered through the Canadian Firearms Program administered by the RCMP.

Question 12: When transporting a restricted firearm, it must be:

Unloaded and in a locked case
Unloaded, trigger-locked, and secured in a locked case (Correct answer)
Unloaded with the action open
Loaded with the safety engaged

Correct answer: Unloaded, trigger-locked, and secured in a locked case

Restricted firearms must be transported unloaded with a trigger lock or locking device applied and secured in a locked container.

Question 13: Which of the following is NOT a valid purpose for possessing a restricted firearm in Canada?

Collecting antique firearms
Target shooting at approved ranges
Self-defense in a private residence (Correct answer)
Participating in organized shooting competitions

Correct answer: Self-defense in a private residence

Self-defense is not a recognized valid purpose for possessing a restricted firearm in Canada; valid purposes include collecting, target shooting, and competition.

Question 14: How must a restricted firearm be stored when not in use?

In a locked room within the home
Unloaded with a trigger lock applied or secured in a locked container (Correct answer)
In a bank safety deposit box
At an approved shooting range when not in use

Correct answer: Unloaded with a trigger lock applied or secured in a locked container

Safe storage regulations require restricted firearms to be stored unloaded with a trigger lock applied or secured in a locked, theft-resistant container.

Question 15: A person who legally owned a firearm before it was reclassified as prohibited may be eligible for:

An automatic right to keep the firearm with no further requirements
A prohibited firearms authorization under grandfathering provisions (Correct answer)
Compensation only, with mandatory immediate surrender
A special restricted licence valid for five years

Correct answer: A prohibited firearms authorization under grandfathering provisions

Grandfathering provisions may allow prior owners of reclassified prohibited firearms to retain them under specific conditions and a prohibited authorization.

Question 16: How does the barrel length of a long gun affect its legal classification?

It determines whether the firearm is non-restricted or prohibited (Correct answer)
It affects only the registration fee for the firearm
It determines which provinces allow the firearm
It only matters for imported firearms

Correct answer: It determines whether the firearm is non-restricted or prohibited

The barrel length of a long gun is a key factor in its classification, as rifles or shotguns with barrels shorter than legal minimums may be classified as prohibited.

Question 17: A sawed-off centre-fire rifle with a barrel shorter than the legal minimum is classified as:

Non-restricted
Restricted
Prohibited (Correct answer)
Unregisterable but legal to possess

Correct answer: Prohibited

Centre-fire rifles with barrels shorter than 470mm are classified as prohibited firearms under Canadian law.

Question 18: What is the minimum legal barrel length for a centre-fire rifle to avoid prohibited classification?

380mm
420mm
470mm (Correct answer)
500mm

Correct answer: 470mm

Centre-fire rifles must have a barrel of at least 470mm to avoid being classified as prohibited due to shortened barrel length.

Question 19: A prohibited firearm owner who loses their grandfathering status must:

Apply for a new PAL within 30 days
Surrender, deactivate, or lawfully transfer the firearm (Correct answer)
Store the firearm at an approved facility indefinitely
Convert the firearm to a restricted classification

Correct answer: Surrender, deactivate, or lawfully transfer the firearm

When grandfathering status is lost, the owner must surrender the firearm to authorities, have it permanently deactivated, or transfer it to an eligible person.

Question 20: Under what circumstances can a civilian legally possess a prohibited firearm in Canada?

With a standard PAL and approval from local police
Only under grandfathering provisions or specific business and collector authorizations (Correct answer)
Any restricted PAL holder may apply to possess prohibited firearms
Prohibited firearms cannot be legally possessed under any circumstance

Correct answer: Only under grandfathering provisions or specific business and collector authorizations

In Canada, prohibited firearms can only be legally possessed under grandfathering provisions for prior owners or specific authorizations for businesses, museums, and similar entities.

Question 21: When the RCMP reclassifies a firearm from restricted to prohibited, what notification is typically provided to registered owners?

No notification is legally required
A written notice sent to the last known address on file (Correct answer)
Notification through licensed firearms dealers only
Announcement via government website only

Correct answer: A written notice sent to the last known address on file

The Canadian Firearms Program sends written notices to registered owners when their firearm is reclassified, informing them of the change and their legal obligations.

PAL Firearm Classification and Restrictions

What is the maximum legal magazine capacity for a centre-fire semi-automatic long gun in Canada?

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Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

laws-lois.justice.gc.ca — Score validity · verified Oct 2026
rcmp.ca — Fees, score release, eligibility, renewal, test delivery · verified Oct 2026