Firearm Collectors

If you are thinking about collecting firearms, here is some information you need to know about how the Firearms Act and its supporting regulations affect you. The information in this fact sheet does not apply to firearms that meet the definition of an antique firearm as set out in the Criminal Code and Criminal Code Regulations.

This fact sheet may also interest you if wish to acquire a particular restricted firearm or prohibited handgun – for example a family heirloom. These firearms may only be acquired for an approved purpose, such as to form part of a collection. You do not need to have other firearms to be able to acquire a restricted firearm as part of a collection. However, in most cases, you would be able to acquire a prohibited firearm only if you already have one in the same category of prohibited firearms registered in your name. Refer to the section of this fact sheet on “Additional Requirements for Restricted and Prohibited Firearms” for more information.

Licence Requirements

To acquire firearms, other than antiques, for your collection you must be at least 18 and have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) that is valid for the class or classes of firearms that you are collecting. The three classes of firearms are:

• non-restricted (ordinary rifles and shotguns),
• restricted, and
• prohibited.

A valid Possession-Only Licence (POL) will allow you to keep firearms that you have lawfully owned since December 1, 1998 and that are currently registered in your name. However, it will not allow you to acquire more firearms.

To maintain legal possession of your firearms, you need to keep your licence current by renewing it before it expires (An amnesty may protect you from penalties under the Criminal Code for possessing a non-restricted rifle or shotgun without a valid licence until May 17, 2007, if your licence has expired.)

Maintaining a valid firearms licence is also important in order to preserve any grandfathering privileges you may have for prohibited firearms. A licence renewal application will be mailed to you at least 90 days before your current licence expires. It is important that you return the completed form as quickly as possible.

Licence Fees

The initial fee for a PAL is $60 for non-restricted firearms only, or $80 for any combination of non-restricted, restricted and prohibited firearms

The fee to renew a POL or a PAL or to change your licence privileges is waived until May 17, 2008. If you have already paid a fee, the fee will be refunded.

Registration Requirements

You need a valid registration certificate for each firearm in your possession. A registration certificate issued under the former law (prior to December 1, 1998) is no longer valid. If you have any firearms that have not yet been registered, or any restricted or prohibited firearms that were registered under the former law but not re-registered under the Firearms Act, you are in illegal possession of those firearms. To minimize the risk of penalties, you need to take immediate steps to register them or to dispose of them lawfully – for example, by turning them in to a police or firearms officer. You need a valid firearms licence to be able to register a firearm.

If you borrow a firearm, you need to borrow the registration certificate as well.

If you buy or sell a firearm that is registered in Canada, the registration records must be updated to show the transfer of ownership.

Firearms must be verified by an approved verifier if:

• they are being registered for the first time; or
• are being transferred to a new owner and have not previously been verified; or
• have been modified so that their description has changed, or
• the Registrar requests that they be verified or re-verified to confirm their description or classification.

Call 1 800 731-4000 for help to verify a firearm.

Additional Requirements for Restricted and Prohibited Firearms

Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Handguns

To be able to possess or acquire a restricted firearm or prohibited handgun for collection purposes, you need to know the historical, scientific or technical features of the firearm. The Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province is responsible for deciding whether you are eligible to have the firearm for a collection when you apply to register it.

Prohibited Firearms

As a general rule, you may possess prohibited firearms only if you have been “grandfathered” under section 12 of the Firearms Act. Being grandfathered means that you can keep certain prohibited firearms that were registered to you on specific dates set out in the Act. To stay grandfathered for a particular category of prohibited firearm, you must continuously hold a valid registration certificate for a prohibited firearm in that category from December 1, 1998 onward. To be able to keep your registration certificates valid, you need to keep your licence valid.

You may also sell, give or trade prohibited firearms to other grandfathered and suitably licensed individuals.

Your grandfathered status only applies to the categories of prohibited firearms that are currently registered to you. The categories of prohibited firearms are as follows:

• full automatics (shown on a firearms licence as 12(2) firearms);
• converted automatics (full automatics that have been altered so that they can only fire one projectile when the trigger is squeezed) (shown on a firearms licence as 12(3) firearms);
• firearms prohibited by former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 12 (shown on a firearms licence as 12(4) firearms);
• firearms prohibited by former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 13 (shown on a firearms licence as 12(5) firearms); and
• handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm (about 4.14 inches) or less, or that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition (These are currently shown on a firearms licence as 12(6) firearms. On licences issued after April 10 2005, they will be shown as 12(6.1) firearms).

You can find out which other prohibited firearms are in categories 12(4) and 12(5) by referring to the list of restricted and prohibited firearms.

You do not need to be grandfathered to acquire a prohibited handgun if:

• the handgun was made before 1946, and
• the handgun is currently registered in Canada, and
• you are the child, grandchild, brother, sister or spouse of the lawful owner.

If you acquire a prohibited handgun in these circumstances, your licence will show 12(7). This means that you can lawfully possess a pre-1946 handgun passed on by a direct relative, but you are not authorized to acquire other prohibited handguns.

Any prohibited firearms that you acquire must have been registered in Canada on December 1, 1998. This means that even if you have grandfathered status, you cannot bring a prohibited firearm into Canada as a new import and you cannot acquire a prohibited firearm that has never been registered.

Inspections

The Firearms Act allows for periodic inspections of firearms collections. The main purpose of inspections is to ensure that all firearms in a collection can be accounted for and that the firearms are stored safely, as set out in the Storage, Display and Transportation of Firearms and Other Weapons by Individuals Regulations.

When inspecting a firearm collection in a residence, inspectors may only inspect parts of a residence where they can reasonably expect to find firearms and records of a firearms collection. They must give reasonable notice and obtain your consent or a warrant before they carry out the inspection.

Information

For more information, contact us by one of the following methods:

telephone: 1 800 731-4000 (Toll Free)

web site: www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca

e-mail: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca

This fact sheet is intended to provide general information only. For legal references, please refer to the Firearms Act and its regulations.

Provincial, territorial and municipal laws, regulations and policies may also apply.

Revised May 2006