Amnesty

An amnesty has been enacted to protect eligible individuals from penalties under the Criminal Code for unlawful possession of a non-restricted firearm for the duration of this amnesty, that is, from May 17, 2006 to May 17, 2007.

The amnesty applies to individuals in the following circumstances:

• Individuals who are in possession of a non-restricted firearm and hold a possession only licence (POL) or a possession and acquisition licence (PAL) for such a firearm, but do not hold a registration certificate for that firearm; or

• Individuals who are in possession of a non-restricted firearm, who do not hold a registration certificate for the firearm in question and who:
• Held a POL or a PAL that expired between January 1, 2004 and May 17, 2006; or
• Currently hold a POL or a PAL that will expire between May 17, 2006 and May 17, 2007.

The amnesty permits the following:

• Individuals described in the first circumstance above can obtain a registration certificate for their non-restricted firearm;
• Individuals described in the second circumstance above can obtain a licence and registration certificate; or
• All individuals can:
• deactivate the firearm so that it is no longer a firearm;
• export the firearm in accordance with all legal requirements, including those of the importing country;
• turn in the firearm to a police officer or a firearms officer for destruction or other disposal;
• sell or give the firearm to a public service agency, to a business (including a museum) that holds a licence authorizing the acquisition or to an individual who holds a PAL; or
• possess the firearm before doing one of the things previously described.

The amnesty does not apply to individuals who never obtained a firearms licence.