General
Licensing
Registering, Transferring or Borrowing Firearms
Transporting Firearms
Shooting Ranges/Businesses
Importing
Import and Export - Canadian Residents
Information for Non-residents, Including Canadian Citizens who have been Living Outside Canada
Questions about Bill C-10A
Amnesty
General
Q. What laws control firearms in Canada?
At the federal level, firearms are regulated primarily by the Firearms Act and by Part III of the Criminal Code. The Firearms Act and its supporting regulations set out the rules for possessing a firearm. The Criminal Code and its supporting regulations identify the various firearms, weapons and devices regulated by the Firearms Act.
Both the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act contain offences and penalties for illegal possession or misuse of a firearm. For example, a first-time offender who has failed to register a non-restricted rifle or shotgun may be charged under the Firearms Act or under the Criminal Code. A person who has failed to register a restricted or prohibited firearm or who has used a firearm to commit a crime would be charged under the Criminal Code.
Provinces, territories or municipalities may have additional laws and regulations that apply in their jurisdiction. For example, provinces are responsible for regulating hunting. They may put restrictions on where hunting can take place and on the caliber or gauge of firearms that may be used for hunting particular game.
Q. What is the difference between licensing and registration?
Licensing and registration under the Firearms Act can be compared to a driver’s licence and the registration of a vehicle. A firearms licence shows that the licence holder has met certain public-safety criteria and is allowed to possess and use firearms. A registration certificate identifies a firearm and links the firearm to its owner to provide a means of tracking the firearm.
Q. What are the different classes of firearms?
There are three classes of firearms: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited.
Non-restricted firearms are ordinary rifles and shotguns, other than those referred to below.
Restricted firearms include:
- handguns that are not prohibited;
- semi-automatic, centre-fire rifles and shotguns with a barrel shorter than 470 mm (about 18.5 inches);
- rifles and shotguns that can be fired when their overall length has been reduced by folding, telescoping or other means to less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); and
- firearms restricted by Criminal Code Regulations.
Prohibited firearms include:
- handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm (about 4.14 inches) or less and handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few specific ones used in International Shooting Union competitions;
- rifles and shotguns that have been altered by sawing or other means so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches);
- full automatics;
- converted automatics, namely full automatics that have been altered so that they fire only one projectile when the trigger is squeezed; and
- firearms prohibited by Criminal Code Regulations.
Q. What is considered to be a firearm for purposes of the Firearms Act and for offences related to the Firearms Act in the Criminal Code?
As set out in the Firearms Act, "firearm" means:
- a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes
- any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon, as well as
- anything that can be adapted for use as a firearm.
Following are some weapons and devices that meet the definition of a firearm but that are deemed not to be firearms for purposes of the Firearms Act and related offences in the Criminal Code. Some of these items are exempted from the definition only if they were designed exclusively for a specific purpose and are intended to be used exclusively for that purpose by the person who possesses it. However, all of the items listed below are considered to be firearms if used in a criminal or negligent manner.
- Antique firearms;
- Devices designed exclusively for signalling, for notifying of distress, for firing blank cartridges or for firing stud cartridges, explosive-driven rivets or other industrial projectiles;
- Shooting devices designed exclusively forslaughtering domestic animals, tranquilizing animals, or discharging projectiles with lines attached to them;
- Air guns and other barreled weapons designed to have:
- A muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters (500 feet) per second or less and/or
- A muzzle energy of 5.7 joules (4.2 foot pounds) or less.
Q. Do the licensing and registration requirements apply to bows?
Crossbows that can be aimed and fired with one hand and crossbows with an overall length of 500 mm (about 19.68 inches) or less are prohibited. You cannot lawfully possess or acquire a prohibited crossbow.
You do not need a valid licence or registration certificate to possess any other type of bow, including a crossbow that is longer than 500 mm and that requires the use of both hands. Criminal Code provisions making it an offence to acquire a crossbow without a valid licence were never brought into force.
If you plan to use a bow to hunt, please check provincial hunting regulations for information on hunting licence requirements and restrictions that may apply to the use of bows. For example, some provinces do not allow crossbows for hunting.
Q. I own firearms but I do not have a licence and I have not registered them. Can I still apply, and if so, will there be any penalties?
Yes, you may still apply. We are making every effort to help firearm owners comply with the law. If you need assistance, call 1 800 731-4000. An amnesty protects you from penalties under the Criminal Code until May 17, 2007 if you only possess non-restricted firearms and you had a licence but it expired. You will need to comply with the licensing requirement or dispose of your firearms before the amnesty ends.
In all other cases, you risk penalties if a peace officer finds you in possession of a firearm without a valid licence and/or registration certificate. To minimize that risk, we urge you to apply as quickly as possible.
You need a valid firearms licence to be able to register your firearms. The Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) (CAFC 921) is the only licence currently available to new applicants. If you have a licence, you can apply to register your firearms online for free through our Website or by submitting a paper application (CAFC 998).
Firearms being registered for the first time in Canada need to be verified by an approved verifier. Call 1 800 731-4000 for help to verify your firearms.
If you have prohibited firearms, please call 1 800 731-4000 to find out your options.
Q. What is the maximum number of cartridges that a firearm magazine can legally hold?
As set out in Criminal Code Regulations, some large-capacity magazines are prohibited regardless of the class of firearm to which the magazines are attached. As a general rule, the maximum magazine capacity is:
- 5 cartridges for most magazines designed for a semi-automatic centre-fire long gun; or
- 10 cartridges for most handgun magazines
A large-capacity magazine is not prohibited if it has been permanently altered so that it cannot hold more than the number of cartridges allowed by law. Acceptable ways to alter a magazine are set out in the regulations.
There is no limit to the magazine capacity for semi-automatic rim-fire long guns, or for other long guns that are not semi-automatics.
Q. I recently received a cheque from you. Why did you send it to me? Does it affect the status of my firearms licence or registration certificate?
Our most common reason for issuing a cheque to someone is to reimburse the fee for renewing or upgrading a firearms licence. The fee to renew or modify a licence issued under the Firearms Act is waived until May 17, 2008.
It is also possible that the cheque was sent to reimburse you for an overpayment for something you applied for under the Firearms Act.
This payment does not affect the status of your licence or registration certificate. The privileges shown on the back of your licence will remain valid until your licence expires or is revoked. Your registration certificates remain valid unless your licence expires or is revoked, you alter the firearm in a way that will change its description (for example if you alter the calibre or gauge), or you sell or give the firearm to someone else.
Licensing
Q. Is the Possession-Only Licence (POL) still available?
The POL was only available to firearm owners aged 18 and older who applied before January 1, 2001. Individuals who have a POL may renew it if they have at least one firearm registered in their name and they apply before their licence expires. Otherwise, only the Possession and Acquisition Licence is available.
Q. How do I renew my firearms licence?
If you have a Possession-Only Licence (POL) or a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), a partially completed renewal application (form CAFC 979) will be sent to you at least 90 days before your licence expires. If you currently have a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC), the form you receive will be an application for a new Possession and Acquisition Licence. (form CAFC 921). Please complete and return your application as quickly as possible to enable it to be processed before your current licence expires.
If your licence or FAC is about to expire and you have not received a form to renew or replace it, please call 1 800 731-4000 to confirm that we have your correct address on file. At the same time, you may request a form or you may download the form from our Website. If you download the form from our website, please make sure you download the correct form. Use form CAFC 979 to renew a POL or PAL that has not yet expired. Use form 921 if your licence has already expired.
If you had a POL but it expired before it was renewed, please note that you are only eligible for a PAL and must meet the safety-training requirements.
Q. My licence has expired but I never received a renewal application. Why not?
Since the Fall of 2003, application forms have been sent to every licence holder whose licence was scheduled to expire within the next 90 days. If you did not receive your application form, call 1 800 731-4000 to confirm that we have your correct address on file. You can request a form at the same time, or download a form from our Website.
It is important to notify us of any change of address. You can do this online or by calling 1 800 731-4000.
Q. What happens if I do not renew my licence?
To be able to possess firearms lawfully, you need a valid licence authorizing you to possess the firearm and a valid registration certificate for the firearm. If you only possess non-restricted firearms and did not renew your licence before it expired, an amnesty protects you from penalties under the Criminal Code until May 17, 2007. This will give you time to comply with the law.
In all other cases, if your licence expires, your registration certificates may be revoked. Therefore, it is very important to renew your licence before it expires in order to minimize the risk of penalties under the Criminal Code for illegal possession of a firearm.
If you have prohibited firearms, your grandfathering privileges to possess those firearms only apply if you continuously hold a valid registration certificate for those categories of prohibited firearms. To be able to keep your registration certificates valid, you need to keep your licence valid.
If you have a Possession-Only Licence (POL), you will be able to renew it only if you apply before it expires and you hold a valid registration certificate for at least one firearm in each class that you are licensed to possess. If your POL expires before you renew it, the only licence you will be able to get is the Possession and Acquisition Licence, which requires you to meet certain safety-training requirements.
Q. When I renew my Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), do I need to resend a copy of my safety training certificates?
You do not have to resend safety training information if you are renewing a PAL with the same acquisition privileges. If you are applying for a licence with new privileges – for example, if you are currently licensed only for non-restricted firearms but wish also to be licensed for restricted firearms – you will need to include proof that you have met the additional safety training requirements unless you passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course prior to February 1999, when it included restricted firearms.
Q. Can I submit a licence application online?
It is not possible to submit a licence application online because we need original signatures and an original photo. However, the application form for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (form CAFC 921) can be downloaded and filled out electronically, then printed and mailed to our Central Processing Site.
Q. How do I upgrade from a Possession-Only Licence (POL) to a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)?
You will need to complete and submit a new application on CAFC 921 and a new photo, as well as evidence that you have met the safety training requirements.
If you want to be licensed for restricted firearms, you must also have passed the tests for the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CFRSC). If you successfully completed the CFSC before February 1, 1999, when it included information on restricted firearms, you are deemed to have completed both courses.
If you took a firearm safety course but are not sure if it is the one you need, or if you need help in finding out where to take the tests or course and tests in your area, call 1 800 731-4000. You can generally take the tests without taking the courses.
Q. I have a valid firearms licence. If I apply for a new licence to upgrade my licence privileges, do I need to pay the full licence fee for my new licence?
The fee to upgrade from a Possession-Only Licence to a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or to upgrade firearm privileges on a PAL has been waived until May 17, 2008.
Q. How do I upgrade my PAL so that I can acquire restricted as well as non-restricted firearms?
You will need to complete and submit a new application on form CAFC 921 and a new photo, as well as evidence that you have met the additional safety-training requirements.
If you took a firearm safety course but are not sure if it is the one you need, or if you need help in finding out where to take the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course or the tests for the course, call 1 800 731-4000. You can generally take the tests without taking the course.
Q. How do I replace a lost, stolen or destroyed licence?
To replace a lost, stolen or destroyed licence, submit a Firearms Documents Replacement Request (form CAFC 718). The replacement fee is $25 for a POL or PAL or $10 for a Minor’s Licence.
You have a legal obligation to report the loss of a firearms licence to your local police and to the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory.
Q. I do not own firearms but I am storing firearms for someone else. Do I need a licence?
As a general rule, if you are in possession of a firearm, you need a licence even if you are not the owner and never handle the firearm. However, the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province may make an exception at their discretion if the CFO is satisfied that the firearms are stored in such a way that you do not have access to them – for example, if they are securely locked in a cabinet and you do not have a key. You can contact your CFO by calling 1 800 731-4000. The registration certificates should be stored with the firearms.
Q. Do I need to carry my licence and registration certificates with me when I take my firearms out hunting?
The Criminal Code states that you must be able to produce a valid licence and registration certificate for the inspection of a peace officer if you have a firearm in your possession. If you do not have these documents with you, the peace officer may seize the firearms. If that was the only reason the firearms were seized, and you can produce the required documents for inspection within 14 days, the police are required to return the firearms to you.
Q. If my licence application is turned down or if my licence is revoked, how do I make an appeal?
You may refer the matter to a provincial court judge in your jurisdiction within 30 days of receiving the notice of refusal or revocation (or by any other date allowed by the judge.) Please contact the court for procedures on how to make a reference. The phone number should be in your phone book.
Q. Do the licensing and registration requirements apply to bows?
Crossbows that can be aimed and fired with one hand and crossbows with an overall length of 500 mm (about 19.68 inches) or less are prohibited. Individuals cannot lawfully possess a prohibited crossbow. Licensed businesses may possess prohibited crossbows for a purpose set out in section 22 of the Firearms Licence Regulations for businesses.
Businesses and individuals do not need a licence or registration certificate under the Firearms Act to possess other types of bows, including crossbows that are longer than 500 mm and require the use of two hands.
If you plan to use a bow for hunting, you may need a hunting licence and there may be restrictions on the size and type of bow that may be used under provincial hunting regulations. For example, some provinces do not allow crossbows for hunting. For more information, please contact the applicable provincial government department. Information may be available on their web site.
Q. If I have a Minor’s Licence, what do I do when I turn 18?
Once you have turned 18, you can apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) by completing and submitting form CAFC 921. This form can be filled out electronically, then printed and mailed to us with your photo and original signatures. If you cannot download the form from our web site, call 1 800 731-4000 and one will be mailed to you.
Since you had to pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course to get your Minors’ Licence, you do not have to pass it again to get a PAL for non-restricted firearms. However, if you want to be licensed for restricted firearms (mainly handguns), you will have to pass the tests for the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course before you apply for a PAL.
Once you have your PAL, you can acquire firearms of your own. The firearms will be registered to you during the transfer process.
Q. If I have had a Minor’s Licence, do I need to pay for a Possession and Acquisition Licence?
Yes. Everyone has to pay for their first Possession and Acquisition Licence unless a Chief Firearms Officer has waived the fee because of the person’s need to hunt to sustain themselves or their family.
Q. Can I use a handgun if I am a minor?
The Minor’s Licence is only valid for non-restricted rifles and shotguns, but you may use a handgun if you are under the direct and immediate supervision of someone licensed to possess that class of firearm.
Registering, Transferring or Borrowing Firearms
Q. How do I register a firearm?
To be able to register a firearm, you need a firearms licence that is valid for that class of firearm. The firearm will also need to be verified by an approved verifier if it has not yet been verified.
Once you have a licence, you can apply online to register it or submit a paper application (form CAFC 998) if it has never been registered. If a registered firearm is being transferred to you, the registration records can be changed by calling 1 800 731-4000
Q. How do I replace a lost, stolen or destroyed registration certificate.
To replace a lost, stolen or damaged registration certificate, submit a Firearms Documents Replacement Request (form CAFC 718). Up to four registration certificates can be replaced for a total of $10 if all replacements are requested at the same time.
Q. I have recently inherited a firearm. What do I need to do to be able to have it?
If you are 18 or older, the information you need is in the “Inherited firearms” fact sheet.
If you are younger than 18, you cannot acquire a firearm, including as a gift or inheritance. The firearm may be transferred and registered to a suitably licensed adult, and then transferred and registered to you once you have turned 18 and have obtained a Possession and Acquisition Licence.
Q. I am the executor of an estate with firearms. What are my responsibilities under the Firearms Act?
The “Inherited firearms” fact sheet provides the main requirements on what executors need to do with the firearms, and what heirs need to do to be able to acquire firearms they have inherited. If you need more information, please call 1 800 731-4000.
Q. Will firearms have to be verified each time they are transferred to a new owner?
Firearms generally only have to be verified once unless their description has changed or the Registrar requests that they be verified again to confirm that the information is complete and accurate.
Q. Can I laminate my paper registration certificates to protect them from wear and tear?
Yes.
Q. Can I borrow a firearm that is registered to someone else?
Yes, if you have a firearms licence that is valid for that class of firearm. When you borrow a firearm, borrow the registration certificate too so that you can provide proof that the firearm is registered if you need to.
If you do not have a valid firearms licence, or if your licence is not valid for the class of firearm you wish to borrow, you may borrow the firearm only if you are under the direct and immediate supervision of a suitably licensed adult (aged 18 or older) and there are no court orders prohibiting you from possessing firearms or other weapons.
Q. If a firearm is registered to me, how do I get it deregistered from my name if I sell or give it to someone else.
If you sell or give a firearm to a business or individual in Canada, the firearm will be registered to the new owner as part of the transfer process that must take place when a firearm changes owners.
Q. How do I de-register a firearm that I have exported to another country?
To deregister a firearm that is no longer in Canada, send a written notice to Canada Firearms Centre, Box 1200, Miramichi, NB E1N 5Z3. With your notice, please include the following:
- your full name and firearms licence number,
- the registration certificate number and firearms identification number of the firearm, as indicated on the registration certificate, and
- proof that the firearm is no longer in Canada (for example, a photocopy of an import document from the other country).
Please note that you may need an export permit to take or send a firearm to another country. For more information and to obtain an application form, contact the Export Controls Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at 1 800 267-8376 or (613) 996-2387, or send a fax to (613) 996-9933.
Q. Do air guns have to be registered?
Air guns need to be registered if they have both a high muzzle velocity (greater than 152.4 meters or 500 feet per second) and a high muzzle energy (greater than 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot-pounds). As a rule, the manufacturer’s specifications are used to determine what muzzle velocity and muzzle energy an air gun was designed to have. You may be able to find this information in the user’s manual or on the manufacturer’s web site.
More information on air guns can be found in the air gun fact sheet. If you have questions about a particular air gun, call 1 800 731-4000.
Q. I always carry a flare gun in my boat/vehicle for emergencies. Do I need a licence and does it have to be registered?
Flare guns and other devices designed exclusively for signalling or notifying of distress, and intended to be used exclusively for that purpose by the person in possession of it, are not classified as firearms for purposes of the Firearms Act. You do not need a licence to possess one, and it does not have to be registered. These devices are classified as firearms for purposes of the Criminal Code if they are used to commit a crime.
Q. Do the licence and registration requirements apply to conversion kits?
It depends on what is in the conversion kit. If the kit contains a frame or receiver, you need a licence to possess it and it has to be registered. You do not need a licence or registration certificate if the kit simply contains parts, such as a barrel, unless the barrel is also a receiver – for example, the barrel of a percussion-cap muzzle-loader. For more information, call 1 800 731-4000 to speak with a firearms technician.
Q. I have an old firearm that doesn’t work. Do I need to register it?
As a general rule, you need a licence to possess it and you must register it unless it meets the definition of an antique or it is permanently deactivated and incapable of discharging projectiles. It may have to be examined by a forensic expert at the RCMP to determine whether it is permanently incapable of discharging projectiles. For more information, call 1 800 731-4000.
Q. Can firearms be registered to an organization such as a war veterans’ legion.
Organizations that possess firearms are treated as firearm businesses for the purposes of the Firearms Act. They need to get a Firearms Business Licence before they can register their firearms.
Q. If I make a firearm or assemble one from a kit, at what point do I have to register it?
The requirements can vary depending on the type of firearm you are making or assembling. Firearms that meet the definition of an antique, including matchlock, wheel lock or flint lock long guns, do not have to be registered. In all other cases, if a frame or receiver is included in the kit, it must be registered . For more guidance, please call 1 800 731-4000 and ask to speak with a firearms technician.
Transporting Firearms
Q. Do I need authorization to transport my firearms from one location to another?
Any time you personally transport a restricted or prohibited firearm within Canada, you need an Authorization to Transport (ATT) from the Chief Firearms Officer of the province where the firearm is located or where it will be entering Canada. You do not need an ATT for firearms that are being shipped by licensed carrier or for non-restricted firearms that you are transporting yourself.
Q. How do I obtain an authorization to transport a restricted or prohibited firearm?
If you have a valid Canadian firearms licence authorizing you to possess that class of firearm, you can apply by calling 1 800 731-4000 or by submitting form CAFC 679 to the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of the province or territory where the firearm is located.
If you are a non-resident and are using a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration to bring a restricted firearm to Canada for an approved purpose such as target shooting, you will need to apply for an ATT by phone when you reach your point of entry. All of the CFO offices can generally be accessed from 9.a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, in all Canadian time zones, by calling 1 800 731-4000 (Canada and the U.S.) or 1 506 624-5380 (outside Canada and the U.S.) Keep these hours in mind when making your travel arrangements.
If you will be arriving outside of the CFO’s regular weekday office hours, you may wish to contact the applicable CFO in advance to see if you can make other arrangements for obtaining an ATT.
Q. Can I send firearms in the mail?
You may ship restricted firearms, non-restricted firearms and prohibited handguns from one Canadian location to another Canadian location if you use the most secure method offered by Canada Post that requires a signature upon delivery. Prohibited firearms, other than prohibited handguns, and firearms being shipped across the Canadian border, must be shipped by an individual or carrier company licensed under the Firearms Act to transport those classes of firearms.
You are required by law to ship firearms unloaded and in a safe and secure manner to deter loss, theft and accidents.
Shooting Ranges/Businesses
Q. What do I need to do if I want to set up a place on my property for target shooting?
Check with your municipality to see if firearms can lawfully be discharged in your area. Also check with the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory to find out if the place where you will be target shooting needs to be approved under the Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations. Even if your range does not need approval, you may wish to consult with your CFO for advice on how to make your range safe to ensure that projectiles do not stray onto neighbouring property and that there are adequate warning systems in place to warn people they are entering an area where shooting activities are taking place.
Q. I am thinking of starting a firearms business. What do I need to do?
The fact sheet for firearms businesses provides basic information. To get additional information and an application form, please contact the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province.
Importing
Import and Export – Canadian Residents
Q. Can I buy a firearm in another country and bring it Canada?
Firearm imports are controlled by the Canada Border Services Agency. As a general rule, the Firearms Act allows you to import a restricted or non-restricted firearm if you have a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence or Firearms Acquisition Certificate giving you acquisition privileges for that class of firearm. For more information, please refer to the fact sheet on importing firearms. You cannot bring a prohibited firearm into Canada as a new import even if you are licensed to acquire that class of firearm.
Please check the laws of the other country as well.
Q. Do I need an export permit to take or ship a firearm out of Canada?
If the firearm is being exported to the United States, you only need an export permit if the firearm is prohibited. When the export and import provisions in the Firearms Act and its supporting regulations come into effect, an export permit will also be required for restricted and non-restricted firearms.
An export permit is required for any class of firearm being exported to a country other than the United States, even if the export is only temporary – for example, if you take a firearm to another country to hunt or to target shoot. When you apply for an export permit, you must include an import permit from the country of destination and from any other countries that the firearm will be travelling through en route.
To get an application and more information, please contact the Export Controls Division of the International Trade Canada at 1 800 267-8376 or (613) 996-2397, or by sending a fax to (613) 996-9933. If you send a fax, please include a mailing address where they can send an application form.
Please check with authorities of the country to which the firearms are being exported and any other countries that the firearms may be passing through, for information on requirements under their laws.
If the firearm is being exported permanently, you will need to notify the Registrar of Firearms in writing and provide evidence, such as a copy of an export document from Canada or an import document from another country, that the firearm is no longer in Canada. This can be mailed to the Canadian Firearms Registry, Canada Firearms Centre, Ottawa, ON K1A 1M6.
Q. If I take a firearm out of Canada, what documents do I need to be able to bring it back into Canada?
You need a valid firearms licence authorizing you to possess the firearm, and you need a valid registration certificate for the firearm. If the firearm is restricted or prohibited, you also need an Authorization to Transport (ATT). You can apply for an ATT by calling 1 800 731-4000. It is important to note that if you take a firearm to another country, you may need an export permit from the Export Controls Division of the Department of International Trade. A customs officer may ask to see a copy of that permit when you bring the firearm back to Canada.
Q. What do I need to do to import ammunition and ammunition components? Are there any limits to the amount of ammunition I may import?
Regular ammunition is regulated primarily by the Explosives Act, which is administered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). You can find more information on NRCan’s web site.
You can contact Canada Border Services Agency at 1 800 461-9999 or refer to their web site for information on declaration procedures and on applicable duty and taxes.
Q. Can I import the parts I need to repair my firearm?
All imports are controlled by the Canada Border Services Agency.As a general rule, you may import a frame/receiver of a restricted or non-restricted firearm if you have a Possession and Acquisition Licence that is valid for that class of firearm. You need to register the frame/receiver before you bring it into Canada.
You may need an import permit or an International Import Certificate from the Export Controls Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) for certain firearm parts, such as those made exclusively for a fully automatic firearm. For more information, call DFAIT at 1 800 267-8376 or 1 613 996-2387, or send a fax to 1 613 996-9933.
Q. Can I import an air soft gun?
Air soft guns that meet the definition of a replica firearm are prohibited. Replica firearms are devices that resemble a real firearm (other than an antique firearm) with near precision but that cannot cause serious injury or death. Many of these devices have to be assessed case by case to determine if they are replicas.
Individuals cannot import replica firearms. A properly licensed business may be able to import a replica for an approved purpose such as for use in a film or theatrical production.
The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for controlling the import of air soft guns that are not replicas– for example, devices that resemble a generic firearm but not a specific make or model of firearm. For more information, please contact the Canada Border Services Agency.
Provincial regulations may also apply. For example, some provinces may set a minimum age for acquiring an air soft gun.
Information for Non-residents, Including Canadian Citizens who have been Living Outside Canada
Q. Can a non-resident bring firearms into Canada?
The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for deciding whether to let a non-resident bring a firearm into Canada. As a general rule, non-residents may bring a non-restricted rifle or shotgun into Canada for approved purposes such as hunting, target shooting, wilderness protection or in-transit movement by a reasonably direct route to another point outside Canada.
Restricted firearms (mainly handguns and some semi-automatic long guns) can generally only be imported if the person can demonstrate a need for having the firearms in Canada – for example to take part in an organized target-shooting event.
For more information on the documents you will need to import a firearm, please refer to the fact sheet for firearm owners visiting Canada.
Q. I tried to register online the firearms that I am planning to bring into Canada, but I don’t have a licence. What are my options?
You can meet Canada’s licence and registration requirements by presenting a Non-resident Firearm Declaration (form 909), to a customs officer at your point of entry. If you have more than three firearms, attach the Non-Resident Firearm Declaration – Continuation Sheet (form 910) Once the customs officer has confirmed your declaration, it will serve as a temporary licence for you and a registration certificate for each firearm listed on the declaration for up to 60 days. A confirmed declaration costs a flat fee of $25 Canadian.
Q. As a non-resident, can I obtain a five-year Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and register my firearms in Canada for a longer term than 60 days?
Yes, if you are 18 or older. To apply for a PAL, fill out form CAFC 921. With your application, please provide proof that you have passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. If you wish to be licensed to possess restricted firearms for an approved purpose such as target shooting, you must also include proof that you have passed the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course. If you have not yet passed the tests, you will need to do so before you apply for a PAL. A course from another country will not meet the requirements of the law. You can take the tests without taking the courses.
Before submitting the application, contact the Chief Firearms Officer of the province or territory where you will most likely be using the firearm to find out what documentation you need to provide from authorities in your country to confirm that you are not known to be a threat to public safety. The two references required to sign your application do not have to be Canadian citizens or persons in authority. An initial PAL costs $60 for non-restricted firearms only, or $80 for any combination of non-restricted and restricted firearms. The fee to renew a PAL has been waived until May 17, 2008.
Once you have obtained a licence, you can apply online to register your firearms. Alternatively, you may submit a paper application (form 998) to Central Processing Site, Box 1200, Miramichi, NB E1N 5Z3. Your firearms need to be verified by an approved verifier before they can be registered. For help to verify your firearms, call 1 800 731-4000 (Canada and the U.S.) or 1 506-624-5380 (outside Canada and the U.S.).
If you dispose of a firearm that is registered to you, please make sure to let us know by calling 1 800 731-4000 (from Canada or the US) or 1-506-624-5380 (from any other country), or send an e-mail with your name and firearms licence number, as well as the registration certificate number and a description of the firearm, to cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca.
Q. Do I need to complete the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration and pay the $25 fee if I have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and have registered my firearms in Canada?
If you have your firearms licence and registration certificates with you, you just need to show those documents to the customs officer at your point of entry. Your declaration can be made orally rather than in writing and there is no fee.
Q. Is my carry permit valid in Canada?
No. As a general rule, individuals are not allowed to carry handguns for self-protection in Canada.
Q. Is pepper spray allowed in Canada?
Criminal Code Regulations prohibit Mace and similar products designed to injure, immobilize or incapacitate a person. Bear sprays and similarly devices clearly designed for protection from wild animals are allowed.
Q. I have been convicted of a DWI/DUI/criminal offence. Will this affect my ability to bring a firearm to Canada?
If you have been convicted of anything considered a criminal offence in Canada, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will need to get approval of rehabilitation or a temporary immigration permit from Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration before you can enter Canada.
Q. Can a non-resident minor use firearms in Canada?
A non-resident minor cannot bring a firearm to Canada, but they can use a firearm under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed adult aged 18 or older. Alternatively, they can apply for a Minors’ Licence that will allow them to borrow a non-restricted rifle or shotgun for purposes such as hunting to hunt with a properly licensed outfitter.
Q. I don’t own firearms but I would like to borrow one while I am visiting Canada. What do I need to do?
If you are over 18, you may apply for a Non-Resident Temporary Borrowing Licence for Non-Restricted Firearms (form 715) for purposes such as to hunt, to take part target shooting activities, for protection from wild animals during business or scientific activities in a wilderness area, to use in a film or theatrical production or publishing activities, or to use in a pageant or parade. You will need a sponsor associated with the intended activity, such as an outfitter or Canadian resident licensed to hunt in the province where you will be hunting. The sponsor can apply on your behalf. This licence is valid for 60 days and costs $30 Canadian.
If you are younger than 18, you may apply for a Minors’ Licence to borrow non-restricted rifles and shotguns if you have taken the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and have passed the written and practical tests for the course.
Regardless of your age, you do not need a licence to use borrowed firearms under the direct and immediate supervision of a properly licensed individual.
Q. I am moving to Canada. May I bring my firearms with me?
You may not bring a prohibited firearm to Canada. For information on what steps to take to bring other classes of firearms to Canada, please refer to the fact sheet for firearm owners moving to Canada.
Questions about Bill C-10A
Q. Are the legislative amendments brought about by Bill C-10A, and the amendments to the supporting regulations, fully in force now?
Most of the amendments are in effect as of April 10, 2005. Some provisions dealing with the import and export of firearms, the marking of newly imported and manufactured firearms, the reporting of public agency firearms, and gun shows are not yet in effect.
Q. Now that the amendments to s.12(6) of the Firearms Act are in force, am I and my prohibited handguns grandfathered?
Amendments to s.12(6) give grandfathered status to a prohibited handgun if
- a registration certificate for the handgun was issued (or applied for and subsequently issued) by December 1, 1998; or
- the handguns were reported to the Commissioner of the RCMP as business inventory before December 1, 1998.
The effect of this amendment is to extend grandfathering status to include prohibited handguns that were registered to an individual for the first time in Canada between February 14, 1995 and December 1, 1998 (for example, new imports and handguns bought from a dealer), and to handguns that business still had in their inventory on December 1, 1998, the effective date that the handguns became prohibited.
If you already have 12(6) privileges on your firearms licence, the amendment enables you to keep prohibited handguns acquired during that time period provided you re-register them under the Firearms Act. It also enables you to sell or give these handguns to a properly licensed individual or business.
In conjunction with an amendment to the Firearms Licences Regulations for businesses, the amendment also allows businesses to sell to a properly licensed individual those prohibited handguns that were reported as business inventory before December 1, 1998, once they obtain the required privileges on their Firearms Busienss Licence.
The amendment received Royal Assent too late (May 2003) to enable grandfathering privileges to be extended to you if your only prohibited firearms were acquired between February 14, 1995 and December 1, 1998. To have enabled you to obtain the required licence privileges and re-register your firearm and maintain continuous registration, it needed to have passed before your original certificates expired on December 31, 2002.
Q. Can I take my prohibited firearms to a shooting range?
You may transport a prohibited handgun that discharges .25 or .32 calibre ammunition or that has a barrel length of 105 mm or less to a range. Other prohibited firearms may no longer be transported to a shooting range. However, they can be transported for other purposes, such as a change of residence, a change of ownership, export, repair, participation in a gun show, or lawful disposal.
Amnesty
Q. Does the amnesty protect all owners from penalties under the Criminal Code for possessing a firearm without a valid licence or registration certificate?
No. The amnesty applies to individuals who only possess non-restricted rifles and shotguns, and only if:.
- they had a Possession-Only Licence (POL) or Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) but their licence has expired; or
- they currently have, or used to have, a POL or PAL but they do not hold a registration certificate for a non-restricted firearm.
Q. My licence and registration certificates were revoked. Does the amnesty allow me to keep my non-restricted firearms?
With respect to licensing, the amnesty does not allow you to keep your firearms if your licence was revoked or if you never had a licence. It only applies to individuals who had a valid licence but whose licence expired. Those individuals are required to get a new licence by May 17, 2007, when the amnesty period ends.
If the registration certificates for your non-restricted firearms were revoked because you let your licence expire, the amnesty protects you from penalties under the Criminal Code for possessing those firearms without a valid registration certificate. However, it does not protect you if your registration certificates were revoked for other public safety reasons.
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