Firearms and Hunting Terminology
This glossary explains the acronyms and terms you will run into when getting a firearms licence or hunting licence in Canada and BC, from PAL and RPAL to ATT, CORE and FWID.
As you can imagine, in Silvercore’s endeavours and experience we know very well just how confusing it can be when you are first starting your journey to obtaining licensing, whether it be for your firearms licence, hunting licence, training, permits or otherwise.
As such, we’ve created a list of different acronyms, variations of them and terms that you may run into in the process of becoming more knowledgeable in the firearms industry to help make things much clearer for you.
PAL or P.A.L. – Possession and Acquisition Licence
This is the current form of firearms licensing in Canada and the term which is most commonly used. It can refer to a Non-Restricted Firearms and/or Restricted Firearms Licence. It was created by the Firearms Act (1995) and replaced the FAC when the new licensing system came into force on December 1, 1998 (more on the FAC below).
RPAL or R.P.A.L. – Restricted
RPAL is the common name for a PAL that includes the restricted class. It is not a separate licence: it is a PAL with restricted privileges, which requires passing the CRFSC as well as the CFSC.
POL or P.O.L. – Possession Only Licence
This is the term used for individuals with a licence in Canada which cannot obtain firearms, but only possess them. POLs were converted to PALs on September 2, 2015 under the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act.
FAC or F.A.C. – Firearms Acquisition Certificate
This was the old form of firearms licensing in Canada and term which is less commonly used, but still relatively known and used amongst older generations due to when it was valid (1979 – 1998). These have all now since expired and will need to be replaced by a PAL.
CFSC or C.F.S.C. – Canadian Firearms Safety Course
This is the required training set forth by the Canadian Firearms Program and RCMP for individuals to be able to obtain a Non-Restricted Firearms Licence or PAL.
CRFSC or C.R.F.S.C. – Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course
This is the required training set forth by the Canadian Firearms Program and RCMP for individuals to be able to obtain a Restricted Firearms Licence or RPAL.
Silvercore teaches the CFSC and CRFSC together as one combined two-day course.
NR – Non-Restricted
This refers to a classification of a firearm and typically means long guns such as rifles or shotguns. This is not always the case however and there may be firearms which are exceptions based on barrel length, calibre discharged, etc. Specifics relating to the classification of Non-Restricted Firearms can be found on the RCMP’s website here.
R – Restricted
This also refers to a classification of a firearm and typically means firearms such as revolvers or handguns. Specifics relating to the classification of Restricted Firearms can be found on the RCMP’s website here.
Prohib- Prohibited
This also refers to a classification of a firearm. Specifics relating to the classification of Prohibited Firearms can be found on the RCMP’s website here.
CFP- Canadian Firearms Program
The Canadian Firearms Program, formerly the Canada Firearms Centre, is a federal program which has been administered by the RCMP since 2006 and is responsible for firearms licences and regulations in Canada.
CFO- Chief Firearms Officer
The Chief Firearms Officer is the provincial or territorial authority responsible for issuing firearms licences to individuals, ATTs, ATCs, approving firearms transfers, and gun show sponsorship approvals. Each province and territory is served by a CFO, and a list of CFOs and their contact information can be found on the RCMP’s website here.
ATT or A.T.T. – Authorization to Transport (formerly LATT)
An Authorization to Transport lets an individual with a licence for restricted or prohibited firearms transport a particular firearm between specified places. Under section 19 of the Firearms Act, an ATT to transport a restricted firearm within your province of residence to and from all approved shooting clubs and ranges is issued automatically when you renew your licence or acquire a restricted firearm through a transfer. Transport to other places, such as a gunsmith or a gun show, needs a separate ATT from your CFO.
The CFO may ask for written confirmation from a shooting club or range of your participation in target practice or target shooting competitions within the previous five years.
This confirmation is typically provided in the form of a letter from the club or range where you hold a membership.
ATC or A.T.C – Authorization to Carry
An Authorization to Carry is a special permit issued by the CFO in your province under the Firearms Act. This permit will allow an individual to lawfully possess and carry a restricted, or prohibited firearm, which is readily accessible to them for use. This may be issued in the case of it being a requirement for your line of profession, for example, an armoured car guard may receive this permit.
WATC or W.A.T.C. – Wilderness Authorization to Carry
A Wilderness Authorization to Carry is a special permit issued by the CFO in your province under the Firearms Act. This will allow an individual to lawfully possess and carry a restricted firearm, which is readily accessible to them for use for the purpose of protection in their line of work. An example of an individual who may be eligible to apply for this permit might be a licensed professional trapper.
POP or P.O.P. – Proof Of Proficiency
A proof of proficiency is required to be completed by the Applicant that is looking to obtain a WATC. This consists of the applicant showing the administrator of the POP that they can shoot their firearm at different distances and in different positions. They will be scored on their shots and where they placed on the target. This will determine if they’ve passed or not and will be included with their application which is submitted to the CFO for their WATC.
CORE or C.O.R.E. – Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education
CORE is British Columbia’s hunter education program, and successful completion is required for B.C. residents age 10 or older who wish to obtain hunting credentials. There are various ways to prepare, including self-study with the CORE Manual, completing the Online CORE Hunter Education Course, or attending an in-person CORE Hunter Education Course, such as Silvercore’s two-day CORE course. Every route ends with an exam with a BCWF certified CORE Examiner.
After passing the CORE exam you receive a student graduation certificate, which you take to request your Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) with a hunting credential. The FWID acts as the passport to hunting in BC. Read more on this in our blog post on how to hunt in BC.
BCWF or BC Wildlife Federation – British Columbia Wildlife Federation
The BCWF is the non-profit organization that administers the CORE program, its examiners and the certification of students who have successfully passed their CORE examinations. They are also British Columbia’s largest and oldest conservation organization, with core values of Stewardship, Education and Research and Partnership. Find out more about the British Columbia Wildlife Federation on their website here.
FWID – Fish and Wildlife ID
The Fish and Wildlife ID or FWID, is the passport to access hunting services in BC. This is required in order to obtain the following:
- Hunting licences (resident, non-resident, non-resident alien, youth and initiation)
- Fraser Valley and Gulf Islands special area licences
- Species and upland game bird licences
- Limited entry hunting (LEH) licences
- Guide outfitter licences
- Permit to accompany a non-resident or non-resident alien to hunt big game
LEH – Limited Entry Hunting
Limited Entry Hunting is a random draw which provides hunters the opportunity to hunt animals which may not otherwise be huntable during the general open season. LEH applications are typically for authorizations to hunt Bison, Mule Deer, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat, Mountain Sheep, and other B.C. game.
Regulation Synopsis
There are many different synopses with regulations as they pertain to hunting, LEH, trapping, and fishing, these include the following:
- BC Limited Entry Hunting Regulations Synopsis
- BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis
These synopses have important regulations in them that hunters, trappers and anglers alike need to follow. The Limited Entry Hunting synopsis is published every year, and the BC government also updates regulations online, so it’s important to check their website to make sure you have the most current and accurate information.
