Firearm Users Younger than 18

If you are less than 18 years old and want to use firearms in Canada, here is some information you should know about Canada’s Firearms Act. Unless otherwise specified, the information in this fact sheet is applicable to residents and visitors alike.

You cannot acquire a firearm by any means, including as a gift, nor can you bring a firearm into Canada. However, you may use firearms in certain cases, as described in this fact sheet.

Minor’s Licence

A minor’s licence will permit you to borrow non-restricted firearms (ordinary rifles and shotguns) for the following activities:

• target practice;
• hunting;
• instruction in the use of firearms; and
• taking part in organized shooting competitions.

A minor's licence will also permit you to acquire ammunition unless there are age restrictions under provincial law.

As a general rule, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a minor's licence:

• You must be at least 12 years old. If you are younger than 12, you may obtain a minor's licence only if you are a Canadian resident and your provincial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) determines that you need to hunt or trap to sustain yourself or your family.
• As a general rule, you must take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and pass the tests before you apply for a licence. However, an exception may be made if you are a Canadian resident and you need to hunt or trap in order to sustain yourself or your family.

To obtain a licence application form (CAFC 671), contact your provincial CFO. If you are a non-resident, contact the CFO of the province or territory where you will most likely use the firearm.

A firearms officer may interview you and/or your parent or a person who has custody of you. Your parent or guardian must agree to the conditions under which you may use firearms, and must give their consent, before a minor's licence will be issued to you.

Conditions may be placed on your licence. For example, some supervision may be required when you use a firearm.

Your minor's licence will expire on the earlier of:

• the day you turn 18 years old, or
• the expiry date shown on your licence.

Licence Fee

 As a rule, the fee for a minor’s licence is $10 for up to one year, $20 for one to two years and $30 for over two years.

Exceptions:

• You may not have to pay a licence fee if you need a firearm to hunt or trap in order to sustain yourself or your family.
• The fee to renew a minor’s licence is waived until May 17, 2008.

Using Firearms Without a Minor’s Licence

If you do not have a minor’s licence, you may still use firearms of any class so long as you are under the direct and immediate supervision of someone who is licensed to possess that class of firearm. This generally means that the licensed person must be close enough to you to be able to take immediate action to prevent you from doing anything with the firearm that is unsafe or against the law.

This provision affects cadets or members of other youth organizations who receive instruction in the use of firearms or who take part in target practice. It also applies to young people who go hunting or who use restricted or prohibited firearms in organized shooting competitions.

Turning 18

Once you turn 18, you will no longer be eligible for a minor’s licence. Instead, you will need to apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and pay the applicable fee. Currently, the fee only applies to the first PAL. Fees to renew a licence or modify licence privileges are waived until May 17, 2008.

Registration

All firearms must be registered. Only people who are 18 years old or older may register firearms. This means that any firearm you use must be registered to an adult who has a valid firearms licence.

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