THAT is what I understand not because it is a war relic but certain gun collectors have a standing to possess restricted weapons through the firearms acquisition act.
You are correct, it is possible to get permits for restricted weapons, which includes handguns.
However it is not possible to get a permit for prohibited weapons, which includes fully automatic weapons, handguns under a certain barrel length and the knives in question.
Only those who had permits for such weapons when the law was passed were grandfathered to keep them. When they die, the weapons can only be passed on to other grandfathered permit holders. Failing that, they must be turned in to be destroyed by the police.
These laws have nothing to do with the Mother country, but are a direct result of a Liberal Government with years in power.
Wolfgang
