>
>>Most do, particularly the ones that are also dealers. In the US,
>>anyway. I'm not sure how it works in Canada (other than "with greater
>>difficulty", presumably).
>
>That's another reason I'd prefer to rent rather than own; while I'm
>all for documentation of who has/can have what, I think I'd rather not
>fall down the bureaucratic rabbit hole of getting a
>permit/license/whateverthehell I'd need to own one.

I took a look and getting a Possession and Acquisition Licence is not actually that bad:

You take a safety course or two<1> and fill out a form that's no worse than getting a passport. And let's be honest here, from what you've said you probably want to take the course(s) before you start shooting even if you don't have to.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm

<1> One if you want something like a rifle or shotgun for hunting or target shooting, two if you want things like a handgun or a short, (but not illegally short), rifle or shotgun.