Firearm Owners and Users Aged 18 and Older

Fact Sheet

Licence Requirements

It is necessary to have a valid firearms licence in order to possess or borrow a firearm or to acquire, by any means, a firearm or ammunition.

A firearms licence must be valid for the class or classes of firearms in one’s possession. The three classes are:

• non-restricted (ordinary rifles and shotguns),
• restricted, and
• prohibited

Types of Licence

Possession Only Licence (POL)

The POL is available only to individuals who applied before January 1, 2001. It allows them to keep registered firearms they have continuously owned since December 1, 1998, and to borrow firearms in the same class or classes as those registered to them, but not to acquire more. The POL is no longer available to new applicants. However, it may be renewed if the renewal application is submitted before the POL expires, the applicant still possesses registered firearms in the applicable classes and public safety requirements are met.

Partially completed renewal application forms are mailed out at least 90 days before a licence expires. To ensure that renewal applications are received and to keep a licence current and in good standing, it is important to notify the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) of any address changes.

If a POL expires before it is renewed, or if registered firearms are disposed of, the only licence option available is the PAL.

Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)

The PAL allows a person to continue possessing firearms they already own and to acquire more firearms. With the exception noted above, it is the only licence available to those who do not currently hold a valid firearms licence. To be eligible, specific safety-training requirements must be met.

Both types of licence allow the licence holder to acquire ammunition.

Registration

Each firearm that an individual possesses requires a valid registration certificate. A certificate issued under the former firearms legislation (prior to December 1, 1998) is no longer valid. An amnesty may offer protection from penalties under the Criminal Code for the possession of a non-restricted rifle or shotgun without a valid registration certificate.

If a firearm is borrowed, the registration certificate must also be borrowed.

If a firearm that is registered in Canada is bought or sold, the registration records must be updated to show the transfer of ownership. Records must also be updated when a registered firearm is disposed of - for example, if it is turned in to police or a firearms officer. To transfer and register a firearm to a new owner, or to notify the Registrar of the disposal of a firearm, please call 1-800-731-4000.

Firearm Verification

Firearms must be verified by an approved verifier if:

• they are being registered for the first time, or
• they are being transferred to a new owner and have not previously been verified, or
• they have been modified so that their description has changed, or
• the Registrar requests that they be verified to confirm their description or classification

Please call 1-800-731-4000 for help in verifying a firearm.

Fees

See: Fees for Firearm Documents

Storing, Displaying, Transporting and Handling Firearms

Firearms must be stored, displayed, transported and handled safely, as set out in the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations.

An Authorization to Transport (ATT) is required to transport restricted and prohibited firearms. Call 1-800-731-4000 or submit form CAFC 679 to apply. There is no fee for an ATT.

Information

For more information, contact the CFP.

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.

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CAFC 1207 E (2008/12) V2