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Home : Information for ... : Aboriginal Peoples  Print version

An Introduction to Canada's Firearms Law for the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada

Questions and Answers about the Firearms Act, Regulations and Support Material

Third Printing - March 2002

Notice
The information contained in these Q's & A's is considered accurate the date of publication. The information has not been updated to reflect any changes to the Firearms Act and related regulations.

Table Of Contents

  1. General Information

  2. Getting A Firearms Licence

  3. Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)

  4. Registering Your Firearms

  5. Storing And Transporting Firearms

  6. Lending Your Firearms To Others

  7. Transferring Your Firearms To Others

  8. Importing And Exporting Firearms

  9. Other Issues

  10. Conclusion

Charts

  1. Possession-Only Licence

  2. Possession And Acquisition Licence

  3. Possession Licence For Minors

Note: This booklet contains information about the federal firearms law. Municipal and provincial or territorial regulations may also apply.

1. General Information

 

Q: When does the new law come into effect?

  1. While the Firearms Act and Regulations are being phased in between December 1, 1998 and January 1, 2003, important provisions are in effect now. As of January 1, 2001, if you own firearms, you need a firearms licence. You will also need to register your firearms by January 1, 2003.

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Q: Who is affected? 

  1. The Firearms Act and Regulations apply to all individuals and businesses that own, want to get, or use firearms in Canada.

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Q: As a member of one of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, how does this new law affect me?

  1. You need to get a firearms licence and register all of your firearms. You also need to safely handle, store, display and transport your firearms, and follow certain rules when you import guns into Canada and/or export them.

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Q: Does the new law take into account the needs of Aboriginal peoples?

  1. Yes. The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) adapt the way the licensing requirements apply to Aboriginal people who participate in the traditional hunting practices of their communities.

The firearms storage, handling and transportation regulations also reflect the needs of people who live in the northern or more remote regions of Canada.

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2. Getting A Firearms Licence

 

See the charts at the end of this booklet for detailed information on licences, application requirements and fees.

 

Q: What should I know about firearms licences?

  1. Under the Firearms Act, individuals must obtain a licence to possess, acquire, or use a firearm. There are several types of firearms licences:

. Possession-only licence for adults;

(Please note that as of January 1, 2001, possession-only licences are no longer available to new applicants.)

. Possession and acquisition licence for adults
(application form JUS 888);

. Possession licence for minors (application form JUS 671);

. Confirmed Non-Resident Firearm Declaration for visitors to Canada who import firearms (application form JUS 909); and

. Temporary Firearms Borrowing licence for visitors to Canada (application form JUS 715).

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Q: When should I get my firearms licence?

  1. As of January 1, 2001, you must have a firearms licence which allows you to possess your firearms. Since possession-only licences are no longer available to new applicants, a new applicant needs to apply for a possession and acquisition licence.

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Q: I have a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC). Is it still good?

  1. A valid FAC serves as a licence until it expires. You should apply for a possession and acquisition licence a few months before your FAC expires so you will receive your new licence before your FAC expires.

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Q: Is my firearms licence good for all kinds of guns?

  1. Your firearms licence will identify which class or classes of firearms you may have in your possession. There are three classes of firearms:

. non-restricted (most hunting rifles and shotguns);

. restricted (primarily handguns); and

. prohibited (categories include automatic and converted automatic firearms, handguns with barrels 105mm or less, 25 or 32 calibre handguns, and other firearms prohibited by the Criminal Code and its Regulations).

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Q: Do I need a firearms licence to buy ammunition?

  1. If you are getting ammunition from the government in fulfillment of a treaty obligation, you do not need a firearms licence to receive it.

To get ammunition from any other source, however, adults need a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) or a valid firearms licence.

Minors (under 18 years of age) need a valid minor's possession licence to buy ammunition.

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Q: Once I have my firearms licence, do I have to renew it?

  1. Yes. Adult firearms licences must be renewed every five years. The expiry date will be set out on your licence. A notice reminding you to renew your licence will be sent to you before the expiry date.

Renewal fees will be either:

. $60 for all possession-only licences and for possession and acquisition licences for non-restricted firearms; or

. $80 for possession and acquisition licences for restricted and/or prohibited firearms.

A minor's licence will also show the date by which it must be renewed. The fee will depend on the term of the licence ($10 for up to 1 year, $20 for up to two years, and $30 for over two years). When a young person turns 18 years of age, he or she must get an adult firearms licence before using or acquiring firearms.

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Q: Do I also need a firearms licence if I have a hunting licence?

  1. Yes. These are two different kinds of licences. A firearms licence permits you to possess, acquire or use firearms throughout Canada, whereas a hunting licence permits you to hunt in your province or territory.

Some provinces and territories do not require Aboriginal people to have a hunting licence. You must still, however, have a firearms licence. For more information, contact your provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) by calling 1 800 731-4000. An operator will transfer your call.

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Q: What accommodations exist for Aboriginal people applying for a firearms licence?

  1. The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) were developed to help ensure that the new firearms law is implemented in a manner that respects the traditional lifestyles of Aboriginal Peoples and the Aboriginal and treaty rights recognized and affirmed by s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) set out particular factors that the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory must consider when evaluating and processing your licence application.

If you want these Regulations to apply to your licence application, you must complete Schedule A, the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) Declaration and Confirmation. If applicable, you may also want to complete Schedule B and Schedule C.

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Q: What are Schedules A, B and C?

  1. Schedule A is a separate declaration that you can include with your licence application form. By completing it, you are declaring that you:

. are a member of one of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (this includes Indian, Inuit, Métis and beneficiaries under a land claims agreement referred to in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982); and

. are a member of an Aboriginal community (a traditional collectivity of Aboriginal people which has a distinctive culture that includes engaging in traditional hunting practices); and

. engage in the traditional hunting practices of your Aboriginal community.

Schedule A also contains a section to be signed by an Elder or leader of your Aboriginal community in which the Elder or leader confirms what you have declared.

Schedule B is a declaration form concerning the importance to you of participating in the traditional hunting practices of your community. The form is to be signed by an Elder or leader of your community.

Schedule C is an application for alternative safety training certification.

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Q: How do I know if I should rely on the provisions of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) when applying for my firearms licence?

  1. If your answer to one or more of the following questions is "yes", you should consider applying for your licence under the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) and completing Schedule A.

. When making your licence application:

. do you need to make oral, as opposed to written, statements?

. do you need to use an interpreter to help you because you do not speak English or French?

. Do you take part in the traditional hunting practices of your community, but expect that your application for a licence might be refused or have conditions attached to it (on the basis of public safety concerns)?

. Are you an Elder applying for alternative safety training certification without taking the Canadian Firearms Safety Course?

. Are you an adult (but not an Elder) applying for alternative safety training certification without taking the Canadian Firearms Safety Course because:

. the Course is not available to you within a reasonable time, or

. at a reasonable location, or

. at a reasonable cost?

. Do you take part in the traditional hunting practices of your community, but you are under 12 years of age?

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Q: I hunt to provide sustenance for my family. Do I need to get a licence?

  1. Yes. You must get a firearms licence. Individuals who require non-restricted firearms to hunt or trap in order to sustain themselves or their families do not have to pay the licence fee for rifles and shotguns. To find out if you qualify as a sustenance hunter, you should contact your provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) at 1 800 731-4000.

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Q: My son is 10 years old and takes part in the traditional hunting practices of our Aboriginal community. Can he get a licence?

  1. Yes. The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) state that an Aboriginal youth less than 12 years old is eligible to have a minor's possession licence. As with minors aged 12 to 17, the parent or the person who has custody of the applicant must give consent and, in most cases, there are conditions (which may include supervision) attached to the minor's licence. The applicant, and/or the parent or the person who has custody of the applicant, will be interviewed by a firearms officer.

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Q: I have relatives who often visit from the United States. When they are here, they borrow our hunting rifles and shotguns. Does this new law affect them too?

  1. Yes. Beginning January 1, 2001, the Firearms Act requires visitors to apply for a licence permitting them to borrow firearms while they are in Canada. The application form for a temporary borrowing licence for non-residents is JUS 715. For more information, call 1 800 731-4000.

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Q: Can my American friend get a Canadian firearms licence?

  1. Yes. Anyone who visits Canada can apply for a Canadian possession and acquisition licence. For more information, or to get a licence application form, your friend can call 1 800 731-4000 from anywhere in Canada or the United States.

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3. Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)

 

Q: Does everyone have to take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) in order to get a possession and acquisition licence? Do minors who are applying for a minor's possession licence have to take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)?

  1. Passing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) test is a general requirement for obtaining a possession and acquisition licence and it is recommended that licence applicants take the Course. Taking the Course, however, may not always be possible or necessary. Some options are available:

. You can just take the test, without taking the Course; or

. You can apply to your provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) for alternative safety training certification. If you are alternatively certified, you do not need to pass the CFSC test.

. You may be alternatively certified if you have owned a firearm since 1979. To be alternatively certified by your CFO, you need to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of firearms laws and how to safely use, transport and store firearms, or

. You may be alternatively certified under the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms). Under these regulations, you need to provide a recommendation from an elder or leader of your community indicating you have the necessary firearms knowledge and the Course is not available within a reasonable time, at a reasonable cost or at a reasonable location.

If you are not alternatively certified, you need to pass the CFSC test in order to apply for a possession and acquisition licence;

. Minors (except sustenance hunters) who are applying for a minor's possession licence must take the Course and pass the test.

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Q: Does an Elder who has hunted all of his or her life have to take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)?

  1. An Aboriginal Elder is eligible for alternative safety training certification without taking the Course as long as he or she can show a basic understanding of:

. how to safely store, display, handle, transport and use firearms;

. how common hunting firearms operate; and

. the laws relating to firearms.

Your provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) (or delegate) must certify that the Elder has the knowledge required to be excused from the Course. For more information about alternative safety training certification, you can call your CFO at 1 800 731-4000.

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Q: I need to buy a new gun for hunting this fall and they tell me I must take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) before I can get my licence. But I live in a remote community where the Course is not available. What can I do?

  1. The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) state that in circumstances where the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) is not available to you within a reasonable time, at a reasonable location or a reasonable cost, you may be eligible for alternative safety training certification. You will need to provide a recommendation from an Elder or leader of your community indicating that you understand the firearms laws and know how to safely use and handle firearms.

Before your Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) will give you this certification, he or she needs to be sure that you have a basic understanding of:

. how to safely use, store, handle, transport and display firearms (minors under 18 years of age are not required to know how to safely display firearms);

. how common hunting firearms operate; and

. the laws relating to firearms.

For more information, you can call your CFO.

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Q: If I have already passed the test for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC), do I have to do it again?

  1. If you have already passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) test, then you do not have to do it again. However, if you have been prohibited from possessing firearms since you passed the test, you must complete the Course and pass the test again before applying or re-applying for a firearms licence. You will only be able to apply for a licence after the prohibition has been lifted.

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Q: I took a firearms safety course a few years ago but it wasn't the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). Would this other course be acceptable?

  1. Contact the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory to find out if the course you took is acceptable. You can reach your CFO by calling 1 800 731-4000.

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Q: Can I take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and test orally in my Aboriginal language?

  1. Testing in your aboriginal language may be possible. For more information, contact a Course instructor or call the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory to see what options are available in your area. 

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Q: I Hear That The Canadian Firarms Safety Course (CFSC) has changed. How do the changes affect me?

  1. The Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) has changed to reflect the new law and regulations. The former Course has been divided into two Courses. One Course deals with non-restricted firearms safety; the other focuses on restricted firearms safety.

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Q: I want to take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). Where do I get information about it?

  1. Each province or territory has a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) Training Coordinator who can give you information about where Courses are held and who teaches the Course in your community or region. Contact us at 1 800 731-4000 for the name and phone number of your CFSC Training Coordinator.

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4. Registering Your Firearms

 

Q: I have heard all kinds of rumours about what it costs to register my hunting rifle. How much does it cost?

  1. There is a bulk fee for the registration of rifles and shotguns, whether you have one gun or several. The fee is $18 until December 31, 2002. You can register all your rifles and shotguns at one time, on the same application, for the $18 fee.

A specific transfer process now applies to each additional firearm you acquire. After December 31, 2002, a transfer processing fee of $25 will be charged for each firearm you acquire. As part of the transfer process and fee, each firearm you acquire will be registered to you.

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Q: What does the law say about registering my firearms?

  1. The Criminal Code requires all firearms owned on December 1, 1998, to be registered by January 1, 2003. Since December 1, 1998:

. individuals must register all firearms that they acquire (buy, inherit, receive as a gift or in trade);

. firearms must be registered at the time they are acquired; and

. all imported firearms must be registered when they enter Canada.

You must be 18 years of age or older to register a firearm. After January 1, 2003, any firearm used by a minor (under 18 years of age) must be registered to an adult.

 [Top]


Q: Do I have to register my hunting rifles and shotguns?

  1. Yes. All of your rifles and shotguns must be registered by January 1, 2003. You will get a registration certificate for each firearm. If you lend your firearm to someone else, you must also lend the registration certificate for that firearm (unless the borrower is a sustenance hunter).

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Q: Do I need to register my ammunition?

  1. There is no requirement to register ammunition, nor is there any limit imposed by the federal government on the amount of ammunition (other than gunpowder) that you can buy.

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Q: How do I go about registering my firearms?

  1. Before a firearm can be registered, you must have either a valid firearms licence or a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC). Your licence must show that you are entitled to possess or acquire the class of firearm being registered (non-restricted, restricted or prohibited).

In your application to register your firearms, you need to give information about each firearm that is being registered, including make and serial number.

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Q: Do I have to renew my registration certificate in the same way that I have to renew my firearms licence?

  1. No. The registration certificate is good for as long as you own the firearm, unless the firearm is modified so it changes class (i.e., from non-restricted to restricted). When you transfer a firearm (sell, barter, give away), a new registration certificate will be issued by the Canadian Firearms Registry to the new owner of the firearm.

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Q: I hunt to provide sustenance for my family. Do I still have to pay the registration fee?

  1. Sustenance hunters do not have to pay to register their rifles and shotguns. To find out if you qualify as a sustenance hunter, call the office of the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory.

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Q: What about my restricted firearms?

  1. If you own restricted firearms, you already have their registration certificates (as required under the old firearms law). You must re-register these firearms to confirm that the registration information is complete and up-to-date. Call 1 800 731-4000 for a re-registration application form. New certificates will be issued to you free of charge.

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Q: What is a firearm identification number and what do I do with it?

  1. Every registration certificate has a firearm identification number (FIN). If your firearm:

. doesn't have a serial number; or

. has a serial number that, even after taking into consideration the other characteristics of the firearm, still doesn't distinguish it from every other firearm, you must put the FIN on the frame or receiver of the firearm. The Registrar will tell you if, and how (sticker, stamp or engrave), you must place the FIN on the firearm.

If your firearm has a serial number that distinguishes it from every other firearm, you won't have to put the FIN on the firearm.

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Q: Does the Firearms Act allow police to search my house without a warrant just because I have a registered rifle?

  1. No. The Firearms Act deals only with inspection powers. Only firearms officers and other designated classes of people can be inspectors. An inspector can check your firearms licence, registration certificate(s) and storage facilities.

Certain restrictions are placed on how inspectors carry out their duties:

  1. An inspector may only enter and inspect places where he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that:

. there is a prohibited firearm;

. there are more than 10 firearms of any class;

. there is a firearms business or records of a firearms business or gun collection; or

. it is a place where a gun collector keeps restricted firearms.

  1. Inspectors cannot enter and inspect private houses unless they:

. have given reasonable notice; and

. have the occupant's consent to enter; or

. get a warrant from a judge or a justice of the peace.

  1. Inspectors may only enter and inspect those parts of a private house where there are reasonable grounds to believe there are firearms, other weapons, devices or ammunition, or records of a gun collection or a business.

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5. Storing and Transporting Firearms

 

Q: I keep only rifles and shotguns that I use for hunting. What do I need to know about safely storing them?

  1. Store your non-restricted firearms (rifles and shotguns):

. unloaded; and

. unable to be fired (use a secure locking device such as a trigger lock or cable lock, remove the bolt or bolt carrier, or lock the firearms in a secure container or room); and

. in a place where ammunition for the firearms is not easy to obtain (ammunition may be stored with your firearm in a securely locked container).

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Q: I sometimes store my rifles and shotguns at a hunt camp. Does the law require that I lock them up?

  1. It depends. If your hunt camp is in a remote wilderness area, your firearms need only be unloaded. Otherwise, your guns should be safely stored as set out above.

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Q: Our community is in an area that has a lot of bears and we often need to use our guns for protection. Can we keep them loaded and by the door?

  1. Where it is legal to discharge a firearm, any non-restricted firearm required for the temporary control of predators or other animals can be kept handy and unlocked, but it must always be unloaded. Ammunition must not be stored nearby.

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Q: Is it enough that my rifle or shotgun is unloaded when I take it in my truck to the hunt camp?

  1. Yes, as long as you are with your firearm at all times. If you need to leave your truck, hide the gun from sight and securely lock the part of your truck, or compartment, that contains your firearm. Check with your Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) for any provincial or territorial rules that may also apply.

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Q: Can I transport my rifles and shotguns on an ATV, boat or snowmobile?

  1. Yes, as long as you are with them at all times and your firearms are unloaded. If you are in a remote wilderness area, you may leave your rifles and shotguns unattended on your ATV, boat or snowmobile, but you must cover them up and lock them with a trigger or cable lock.

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Q: Do I need a special authorization to transport my rifles and shotguns?

  1. No. You only need an Authorization to Transport (ATT) if you are transporting restricted (mainly handguns) and prohibited firearms. For more information, contact your Chief Firearms Officer (CFO).

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Exception

There is an important exception to these general rules. If you are using or handling your rifle or shotgun in the course of hunting or for controlling predators or other animals, the general storage and transportation provisions do not apply, as long as the activity is lawful at the time and place that it is being carried out. This exception extends to using or handling a rifle or shotgun in the course of hunting from a vehicle in a given location, as long as it is lawful for you to be hunting from that vehicle in that location.

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6. Lending Your Firearms To Others

 

Q: I often lend my hunting guns to members of my family and community. What do I need to know to continue to do this safely and legally?

  1. Anytime you lend your gun, you, as the person responsible for the firearm, should feel comfortable that the borrower will be able to use it safely and legally. The Firearms Act states that you should never lend your gun to a person who you believe may have a mental illness making him or her incapable of using your firearm in a safe and legal manner. It also states that you should never lend your firearm to a person who you suspect may be impaired by alcohol or drugs.

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Q: Does the person borrowing my gun need anything?

  1. The person borrowing your gun needs either a valid firearms licence or a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC). A non-resident visitor needs a temporary borrowing licence. Otherwise, the borrower must be under your "direct and immediate supervision", which means that you must be close enough to prevent him or her from doing anything dangerous or unlawful with your firearm. As well, the borrower can only use the firearm in the manner that you are allowed to use it (according to municipal firearm discharge regulations and provincial or territorial hunting regulations).

The person borrowing your firearm must also borrow the registration certificate. (If you are lending your firearm to a sustenance hunter, you do not have to lend him or her the registration certificate.)

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7. Transferring Your Firearms To Others

 

Q: What does it mean to "transfer" a firearm?

  1. Under the Firearms Act, transfer means to sell, barter or give away your gun.

Coordinator who can give you information about where Courses are held and who teaches the Course in your community or region. Contact us at 1 800 731-4000 for the name and phone number of your CFSC Training Coordinator.

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Q: Can I give, sell or barter my gun to anyone?

  1. The person receiving your gun must have either a valid possession and acquisition licence or a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC).

You should take the same care when transferring your firearms as you do when you lend them:

. do not transfer your firearm to anyone that you believe has a mental illness which makes him or her incapable of using it in a safe and/or legal manner; and

. do not transfer your firearm to a person who you suspect may be impaired by alcohol or drugs.

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Q: What is the procedure for bartering, selling or giving away a firearm?

  1. The Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory must approve the transfer. Once approved, the firearm will be registered to the new owner as part of the transfer process.

For instructions on how to transfer a firearm, call 1 800 731-4000.

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8. Importing And Exporting Firearms

 

As of January 1, 2001, residents of Canada need either a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) or a valid possession and acquisition licence in order to import newly acquired firearms into Canada. If you leave Canada temporarily with a firearm you already own, you need to have a valid licence (Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC), possession and acquisition licence or possession-only licence) in order to bring the firearm back into Canada.

Visitors who wish to bring firearms into Canada need a valid possession and acquisition licence or a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (application form JUS 909) that will be confirmed by a Customs officer at the point of entry into Canada.

For more information, call our toll-free number at 1 800 731-4000.

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9. Other Issues

 

Q: Where do I get the necessary forms to apply for a firearms licence and to register my guns?

  1. Application forms are available from:

. our toll-free Call Centre at 1 800 731-4000;

. our web site at www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca;

. Service Canada locations; and

. some gun dealers.

In some communities, forms may also be available at the band office, community hall, local stores or from a firearms officer.

Mail your completed application form. Once approved, you will receive your firearms licence and/or registration certificate(s) in the mail.

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Q: Where can I get help filling out my licence or registration application forms?

  1. If you have questions regarding the application forms, call us at 1 800 731-4000. Our operators are trained to assist people in completing their forms. You could also contact the firearms officer who serves your community. If you don't know who that might be, call either our 1-800 number or your provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO).

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Q: Who is an Elder?

  1. Under the Firearms Act Regulations, an Elder is any member of your Aboriginal community who is recognized and respected for his or her extensive knowledge of the culture and traditional practices of your community.

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Q: Who is a sustenance hunter?

  1. The Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory sets out the criteria that must be met to qualify as a sustenance hunter. Call 1 800 731-4000 to speak to your CFO.

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Q: As of January 1, 2001, is it against the law to hunt without a firearms licence?

  1. As of January 1, 2001, it is an offence to possess a firearm without a valid firearms licence or a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC), and after January 1, 2003, it will be an offence to possess a firearm without a registration certificate.

The only time you won't need either a licence or a registration certificate is when you are using a firearm under the "direct and immediate" supervision of a licensed owner or user (as explained earlier in the section on lending firearms).

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Q: What will happen if I hunt without a firearms licence?

  1. If you are charged and convicted, depending on the circumstances of your case, a wide range of penalties are possible (from a discharge to a 10-year sentence). The law says that your firearms will be seized and you could be prohibited from owning firearms.

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10. Conclusion

 

Q: Our Aboriginal community needs more information.

How do we get it?

  1. You can call the Canada Firearms Centre at 1 800 731-4000 for:

. help in completing the licence and registration application forms;

. more copies of this booklet; and

. copies of other documents of interest to you.

For more information on how the Firearms Act is administered in your community, call the office of the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory.

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These charts summarize what you need to know about licences and fees:

11. Possession-only licence

Who and What Is It For?

Application Requirements

Fees

For qualifying adults (18 years or older) whose applications were received prior to January 1, 2001.

For Aboriginal applicants who use non-restricted firearms (rifles and shot-guns) owned by others in their community (communal use).

To possess any class of firearms owned as of December 1, 1998.

To borrow other firearms in the same class.

Not available after January 1, 2001, except as a renewal.

Possession-only licences must be renewed every five (5) years.

Renewal fee is $60.

No fee for sustenance hunters (non-restricted firearms only).

12. Possession And Acquisition Licence

Who and What Is It For?

Application Requirements

Fees

For adults (18 years or older).

To possess currently owned firearms.

To borrow other firearms in the same class.

To acquire non-restricted firearms.

To acquire restricted firearms.

To acquire another prohibited firearm in the same class as a firearm that is currently owned.

Application process similar to current Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) process.

Applicants who apply under the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) must complete Schedule A.

Either an employee of the Canada Firearms Centre or a person who has known the applicant for at least 1 year must sign the back of the applicant's photo and sign a statement confirming that the photo accurately identifies the applicant.

Two people (other than a spouse) must sign a statement confirming that to the best of their knowledge and belief:

. the information in the application is true;

. the applicant poses no known safety concerns; and

. they have known the applicant for at least three years.

The applicant must provide the name, current address and telephone number of every spouse or common-law partner (who will be notified about the application) with whom the applicant has lived during the past two years. If their whereabouts are unknown, the applicant must make a written statement to that effect. Several types of information, including the views of spouses or common-law partners, are taken into consideration by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officers (CFO's) in determining whether to issue a licence.

Aboriginal applicants who are unable to write in English or French may give any required statements orally, and if unable to speak English or French, may have the help of an interpreter.

There is a minimum 28-day waiting period unless the applicant has a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) or licence.

Applicants must show proof that the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) requirements have been met.

There are additional requirements for restricted and prohibited firearms.

Possession and acquisition licences must be renewed every five (5) years.

$60 for 5 years (non-restricted firearms only).

$80 for 5 years (any combination of non-restricted, restricted and prohibited firearms).

No fee for sustenance hunters (non-restricted firearms only).

13. Possession Licence For Minors

Who and What Is It For?

Application Requirements

Fees

For young people (12 - 17 yrs).

For sustenance hunters under

18 years. For Aboriginal minors under 12 years who participate in traditional hunting practices of their own communities.

To possess or use non-restricted firearms only.

Applicants who apply under the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) must complete Schedule A.

A parent or guardian must give consent. The applicant, and/or the parent or the person who has custody of the applicant, will be interviewed by a firearms officer.

The applicant and a parent or guardian must accept the conditions of the licence by signing the application form and confirming that the photo accurately identifies the applicant.

Aboriginal applicants who are unable to write in English or French may give any required statements orally, and if unable to speak English or French, may have the help of an interpreter.

Applicants must show that the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) requirements have been met. (This does not apply to sustenance hunters under 18 years of age.)

A minor's possession licence must be renewed as of the expiry date on the licence or, where the minor's licence expires because the individual has attained the age of 18 years, he or she must apply for an adult licence.

**Minors can possess or use but cannot own or register firearms in their name**

$10: 0-1 yr.

$20: 1-2 yrs.

$30: over 2 yrs.

No fee for sustenance hunters (non-restricted firearms only).

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This booklet is not a legal text. For detailed legal information, see the Firearms Act and Regulations. For more information:

. call toll-free 1 800 731-4000;

. visit the CFC's web site at www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca;

. fax us at (613) 941-1991;

. e-mail the Canada Firearms Centre at: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca; or

. contact the Chief Firearms Officer of your province or territory

This booklet is also available in French and Inuktitut.

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March 2002

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data

Main entry under title:
An introduction to Canada's firearms law for the
Aboriginal Peoples of Canada: questions and answers
about the Firearms Act, Regulations and support material

Issued also in French under title: Introduction à
lalégislation canadienne sur les armes à feu à l'intention des autochtones du Canada.
Issued also in Inuktitut.
ISBN 0-662-27427-X
Cat. No. J2-155/1998E

1. Firearms - Law and legislation - Canada.
2. Firearms ownership - Law and legislation - Canada.
I. Canada Firearms Centre.

HV8059.I57 1998 363.3'30971 C98-980005-1

Third Printing - March 2002


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