Firearm Owners and Users Aged 18 and Older

This fact sheet contains information you need to know about Canada’s Firearms Act if you are a Canadian resident who owns, uses or wants to acquire a firearm. Additional information is available for firearm users younger than 18 and for non-residents who wish to bring a firearm to Canada.

Licence Requirements

You need a valid firearms licence if you are in possession of a firearm, including a borrowed firearm, or if you wish to acquire firearms and ammunition by any means, including as a gift.

Exceptions:

• you do not need a licence to use a borrowed firearm if you remain under the direct and immediate supervision of a properly licensed adult aged 18 or older while you are in possession of the firearm.
• 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.

Your licence must be valid for the class or classes of firearms in your possession. The three classes are:

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

Types of Licence

• The Possession-Only Licence (POL) was only available to individuals who applied by January 1, 2001. It is no longer available to new applicants. However, if you already have a POL, you can renew it if you apply before it expires and have a firearm registered in your name. It is only valid for firearms that you owned on December 1, 1998. If you wish to obtain more firearms, you will need to obtain a Possession and Acquisition Licence after meeting the additional safety-training requirements.
• The Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) is the only licence available to you unless you are renewing an existing, valid POL. To be eligible, you must meet specific safety-training requirements.

Both types of licence will allow you to acquire ammunition.

Licence Renewals

To maintain legal possession of your firearms, you need to keep your licence current by renewing it before it expires. Maintaining a valid firearms licence is also important in order to preserve any grandfathering privileges you may have for prohibited firearms. Licences are renewable every five years.

A partially completed renewal application form will be mailed to you at least 90 days before your licence expires. To ensure you get your renewal application and to keep your current licence in good standing, it is important to notify us of any address changes.

If you have a POL, note that if it expires before you renew it, you will only be eligible for a PAL and must meet the additional safety-training requirements. You do not need to meet the safety-training requirements to renew a POL if you renew it before the expiry date.

Registration

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. An amnesty may protect you from penalties under the Criminal Code for possessing a non-restricted rifle or shotgun without a valid registration certificate until May 17, 2007.

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. Records also need to be updated if you dispose of a firearm registered to you – for example, if you turn it in to police or firearms officer. To transfer and register a firearm to a new owner, or to notify the Registrar of the disposal of a firearm, call 1 800 731-4000.

Firearm Verification

Firearms must be verified by an approved verifier if:

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

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

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.

Exception: You may not be required to pay a fee for a PAL if it would only be valid for non-restricted firearms and you need a firearm to hunt or trap in order to sustain yourself or your family.

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. It is important to notify us if your address changes in order to receive your refund and other important information.

There are no fees to register or transfer a firearm.

Storing, Displaying, Transporting and Handling Firearms

You are required to store, display, transport and handle firearms safely as set out in the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations.

You need a valid Authorization to Transport (ATT) for restricted and prohibited firearms. To apply, call 1 800 731-4000 or submit form CAFC 679. There is no fee for an ATT.

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.

Le présent feuillet d’information est également disponible en français.

Revised May 2006