Basic Information for Classifying Your Firearm

If after reviewing the following information, you cannot determine the class of your firearm, please call 1 800 731-4000 and ask to speak with a firearms technician.

The three classes of firearms are non-restricted, restricted and prohibited.

A Non-restricted firearm is:

an ordinary rifle, shotgun or combination gun that is not described below as being restricted or prohibited.

A Restricted firearm is:

• a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm;
• a semi-automatic, centre-fire rifle or shotgun with a barrel length less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) that is not prohibited;
• a rifle or shotgun that can fire when its overall length is reduced by folding, telescoping or some other means to less than 660 mm (26 inches);
• any firearm prescribed as restricted (including some long guns).

A Prohibited firearm is:

• a handgun with a barrel length of 105 mm (4.1 inches) or less;
• a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 25 or 32 calibre ammunition;
• a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make it less than 660 mm (26 inches) in overall length;
• a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) where the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more;
• an automatic firearm and a converted automatic firearm;
• any firearm prescribed as prohibited.

List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms