Firearms Act Amendments Coming Into Force

OTTAWA, March 29, 2005 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Anne McLellan, today announced the implementation of important improvements to the Canadian Firearms Program.

These changes pertain to several Firearms Act amendments contained in Bill C-10A, as well as regulatory changes announced in December 2004, and will be made effective April 10, 2005.

“We are meeting the commitments we made last May to streamline processes and improve services to firearm owners, while ensuring the Firearms Program continues to make its important contribution to public safety in our communities,” said Minister McLellan. “The changes will help ensure that we achieve our public-safety goals in a fair and balanced way that recognizes the needs of responsible firearm owners for simple, user-friendly processes, as well as the need for effective, cost-efficient gun control.”

Among other things, the changes being implemented will simplify licence renewals and speed up transfers of non-restricted rifles and shotguns to new owners. They will also reduce some of the administrative burdens for firearm businesses.

Amendments contained in Bill C-10A received Royal Assent in May 2003, but amendments to the supporting regulations were required before many of the legislative amendments could be brought into force.

Other Bill C-10A changes and related regulatory amendments, such as new requirements regarding authorizations to import or export firearms and new requirements for public agencies, will be brought into effect at a later date.

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For further information

Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Media Desk
Canada Firearms Centre
(613) 941-5371
Internet: www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca

Backgrounder: Firearms Act Changes and Regulatory Amendments
Coming Into Force April 10, 2005