Shooting sports in Canada

Shooting sports in Canada are practiced in various ways across the country. Canadians enjoy the sports at recreational and competitive levels. Each province has its own organizations that govern the various disciplines. Many of the disciplines are connected nationally and some are part of larger international organizations.

National shooting organizations

The Canadian Shooting Sports Association[1] and the National Firearms Association[2] are Canada’s main firearm associations. They work at the national level to promote and protect the shooting sports. These organizations were created in reaction to increasing laws and regulations governing ownership and use of firearms in Canadian society. They are independent of one another, but share the common goals of promoting firearm culture, education, and safety.

Canadian Shooting Sports Association

The Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA)[1] was formed when the highly respected Ontario Handgun Association (OHA) and the Ontario Smallbore Federation (OSF) joined.[3] The OHA has been a leader in Canada‘s firearms community since 1957 and the OSF has represented smallbore rifle shooters in Ontario since 1959. These two organizations saw the need for all shooters to band together for the protection of their property and sports.[3] Since this early start in Ontario, the CSSA has grown into a national organization with representation and membership in every province.

The CSSA supports, promotes, and sponsors all of the shooting sports. They conduct numerous training courses and grant certification for Range Officers and Safety Officers. The CSSA is also politically active at the provincial and federal levels of government.[3]

National Firearms Association

The National Firearms Association (NFA)’s[2] priority is defending the firearms rights of law-abiding Canadians.[4] They operate at the national level promoting and protecting all aspects of safe and responsible use of firearms to insure the shooting sports and related activities continue to prosper in Canada.

The NFA also provides legal information and assistance concerning fair and practical firearm and property rights legislation.[4]

Through their publication, The Canadian Firearms Journal,[5] they offer up to date information on various shooting sports ad related topics around the country. These include safety and legal issues, various events and competitions, marksmanship and hunting articles, and historical information.

The Shooting Federation of Canada

The Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC)[6] began in 1932 as the "Canadian Small Bore Rifle Association." After the Second World War, the CSBA changed its name to the "Canadian Civilian Association of Marksmen." It used this name until December 2, 1964. Since then it has been known as the The Shooting Federation of Canada. The SFC is the national sport governing body and is responsible for the promotion, development and governing of organized, recreational and competitive target shooting in Canada. The Federation represents all Canadian firearm owners and works to protect and promote firearm owners’ rights, property and sports.[7]

The SFC issues multiple awards every year to Canadian athletes that distinguish themselves in their shooting sport.[8] They also publish a national magazine titled AIM.[9]

The Shooting Federation of Canada is part of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Shooting sports organizations by province and territory

Due to variations in culture and laws the available shooting sports can vary greatly by province and territory.

Quebec

References

  1. 1 2 "CSSA Canadian Shooting Sports Assoc. (target shooting, shotgun, rifle, pistol, biathlon, free pistol, cowboy shooting, SASS, IPSC, PPC, IPDA, full-bore rifle, gun ban, gun control, handgun ban, C68, gun registry, confiscation, gun rights, self defense, RKBA, Canada, gun club, shooting club, shooting range, rifle range)". Cdnshootingsports.org. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  2. 1 2 "Welcome to the National Firearms Association | NFA, National Firearms Association, Canada gun information". Nfa.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  3. 1 2 3 "CSSA: About Us". Cdnshootingsports.org. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  4. 1 2 "About the NFA | NFA, National Firearms Association, Canada gun information". Nfa.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  5. ↑ "Canadian Firearms Journal | NFA, National Firearms Association, Canada gun information". Nfa.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  6. ↑ "Shooting Federation de Tir". Sfc-ftc.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  7. ↑ "By Laws". Sfc-ftc.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  8. ↑ "Awards". Sfc-ftc.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  9. ↑ "Aim - Winter 2009 - Online Final". Scribd.com. 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
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