Legal and illegal entry of firearms into Canada

One of the elements of the firearms legislation is the strengthening of the government's capacity to deter smuggling of firearms at and between Canada's border crossings. As part of the government's Anti-Smuggling program, Canada Border Service Agency and the RCMP have already launched a comprehensive program to fight smuggling in all its forms, including firearms.

Canada will continue to work closely with the international community to stem the problem of arms trafficking. The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada will continue to work closely with Canada Border Service Agency and the Department of Justice to help stem the trafficking and smuggling of firearms through their participation on the National Working Group on the Illegal Movement of Firearms. To provide support to the government's firearms control initiative, Canada Border Service Agency has enhanced its control, inspection, and security requirements for firearms. Canada Border Service Agency is committed to a responsible enforcement program while maintaining the quality of its border services. The RCMP is committed to its current support of the Anti-Smuggling Initiative.

As a result of Canada's gun control legislation, new requirements are placed on commercial importers and exporters of firearms. The Firearms Act requires licences and registration certificates for Canadian residents who wish to import or export firearms on the required date. International Trade Canada ensures that export permits procedures and the new import/export requirements under the Act are mutually complementary, and that the paper burden is minimized. The RCMP works to harmonize its import/export requirements with the International TradeCanada's procedures.