| Before |
As of April 10 |
Effect |
| Individual Firearms Licences |
- All renewals of Possession-Only Licences (POLs) and Possession and Acquisition Licences (PALs) had to be submitted as brand new applications.
- Only PAL applicants needed to provide information on current and former spouses and common-law partners (within the last two years), and they needed to provide references from two people who had known them for at least three years.
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- The renewal process has been streamlined and standardized, with reduced information requirements – for example, fewer personal history questions and no photo guarantor or reference requirements. Individuals remain subject to continuous eligibility screening.
- All POL and PAL renewal applicants will need to provide information on current and former spouses and other conjugal partners with whom they have lived within the last two years.
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- Reduced burden – simplifies renewal process for licensed applicants who have demonstrated years of responsible firearm ownership or use.
- Consistency and efficiency – all licence renewals use the same form and have the same requirements.
- Public safety – ensures partners of all licence holders can express concern about their safety or the safety of others.
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- Non-resident minors may use a firearm in Canada only if they are under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed adult.
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- Non-resident minors aged 12 to 17 may obtain a Minors’ licence to use non-restricted firearms for purposes such as hunting or target shooting if they have taken the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and passed the test.
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- Improved service – allows more flexibility for young non-residents who come to Canada to hunt or target shoot.
- Public safety – promotes safe firearm use by ensuring adequate safety training.
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| Business Firearms Licences |
- Business licences issued for a maximum of:
- one year for businesses that possess firearms and other items regulated by the Firearms Act;
- three years for museums.
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- Maximum term of business licences issued on or after April 10, 2005:
- three years for all businesses, including museums, that possess firearms, restricted or prohibited weapons, prohibited devices and/or prohibited ammunition; and
- five years for businesses that only sell non-prohibited ammunition;
- Fees same as for one-year licence.
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- Reduced burden and streamlined administration – businesses need to apply less frequently for a licence renewal.
- Improved service – longer term at same fee; gives businesses more value for their money.
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| Prohibited Handguns (as described in s.12(6) of the Firearms Act) |
- For a handgun to be grandfathered, a Canadian registration certificate must have been issued or in process by February 14, 1995.
- For an individual to be grandfathered, he or she must have held a valid Canadian registration certificate for a prohibited handgun on February 14, 1995, and continuously from December 1, 1998 onward.
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- Prohibited handguns are grandfathered if:
- a registration certificate had been issued (or applied for and subsequently issued) by December 1, 1998; or
- the handguns were reported to the Commissioner of the RCMP before December 1, 1998.
- Businesses can now get a firearms licence to sell prohibited handguns they have lawfully possessed since December 1, 1998 to properly licensed individuals.
- Individuals who have continuously held a valid registration certificate for a prohibited handgun since December 1, 1998 are grandfathered.
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- Clarity – addresses outstanding issues for affected handgun owners.
- It enables properly licensed owners to keep handguns grandfathered by the amendment.
- Businesses and individuals now have another option for disposing of a handgun grandfathered by the amendment – they may give or sell it to a properly licensed individual.
- The CAFC will contact businesses and individuals affected by the amendments.
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| Transporting Firearms (Individuals) |
- Maximum term of an authorization to transport (ATT) restricted firearms or prohibited handguns only three years.
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- Maximum term increased to five years, depending on the term of a person’s firearms licence.
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- Reduced burden and streamlined administration – reduces ATT renewal requirements for individuals who frequently transport firearms back and forth between specified places (e.g. between a residence and a shooting range).
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- Prohibited firearms such as full automatics and other assault-style firearms could be transported to a shooting range under limited conditions.
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- Prohibited firearms, other than prohibited 12(6) handguns, may no longer be transported to a shooting range. They may only be transported for specific purposes, such as a change of residence, repair, export, disposal or taken to a gun show.
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- Clarity – implements Bill C-10A provisions.
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| Transporting Firearms: Businesses |
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Only non-restricted firearms could be shipped by Canada Post.
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Restricted and prohibited firearms had to be shipped by licensed carrier.
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Restricted firearms and prohibited handguns may be shipped to another location in Canada by the most secure method offered by Canada Post that requires a signature upon delivery.
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Prohibited firearms other than prohibited handguns may still only be shipped by a licensed carrier.
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Flexibility in service and reduced burden – provides businesses with another option for shipping firearms to or from an area not serviced by a licensed carrier while maintaining a high level of public safety.
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| Firearms Registration |
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The Registrar needed to be notified of firearm modifications only if the modifications were made to a converted automatic or if they changed the classification of a firearm.
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An approved verifier must have verified the firearms that are:
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being registered to a business;
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new imports being registered to an individual; or
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as of January 1, 2003, being transferred to a new owner.
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There was no requirement to re-verify a firearm that had already been verified.
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The Registrar must be notified of changes:
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to a converted automatic;
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that make a firearm no longer a firearm; and
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to the type, action, calibre or gauge of any registered firearm if the change is intended to be permanent or lasts more than 30 days.
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All registration applications must be accompanied by evidence that the firearm has been verified
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A firearm that has been verified must be re-verified if the information changes or if there are any questions about the firearm’s classification or description.
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Improved service and public safety – ensures that information in the Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS) is as accurate as possible to serve firearm owners and law enforcement better.
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| Non-Resident Firearm Declaration |
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A confirmed Non-Resident Firearm Declaration costs $50
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A confirmed Non-Resident Firearm Declaration costs $25.
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Supports Canadian shooting sports, outfitters and communities benefiting from shooting sports.
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| Transferring Firearms to New Owners |
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A provincial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) had to approve all transfers.
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CFO approval is only required for restricted and prohibited firearms
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The eligibility of purchasers to acquire non-restricted firearms will be confirmed during the registration process.
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Improved service and reduced administration – streamlines processing of applications to register non-restricted firearms to new owners, enabling transfers to be processed more quickly.
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