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Firearms trafficking is a crime

Canadian Firearms Program

Changes to the Canadian Firearms Program

On April 5, 2012, Bill C-19, Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act, came into effect. The key changes are as follows:

  • Removal of the requirement to register non-restricted firearms
  • Destruction of the existing non-restricted firearms registration records
  • Allowing the transferor of a non-restricted firearm to obtain confirmation of a transferee’s firearms acquisition licence prior to the transfer being finalized

Until further notice, due to a Court Order issued by the Quebec Superior Court, residents of Quebec are still required to register non-restricted firearms with the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program.

It is important to note that the new law does not change the requirement for all individuals to hold a licence in order to possess a firearm. The licensing, safety training and safe storage requirements for anyone who uses or owns a firearm continue to be in force.

The legislation also does not impact registration requirements for restricted or prohibited firearms.

Changes to firearms licence fee waiver

Restricted and prohibited licence holders required to pay prescribed fee as of September 18, 2012.

 

The Government of Canada has announced changes to the firearms licence fee waiver. 

 

Licences with Restricted/Prohibited Privileges:

 

A fee waiver for renewal of Possession Only Licences (POL) and Possession and Acquisition Licences (PAL) with restricted/prohibited firearm privileges is in effect until September 17, 2012. 

 

Individuals who renew their restricted or prohibited class POL or PAL on or after September 18, 2012, will be required to pay the renewal fee. Individuals who add restricted and/or prohibited privileges to their licence on or after that date will also be required to pay the fee.

 

Licences with Non-Restricted Privileges ONLY:

 

A fee waiver, applicable to licences with non-restricted firearm privileges only, is in effect until May 16, 2013.  This waiver applies to:

  • individuals renewing their Possession Only Licence (POL) or Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL),
  • individuals upgrading their POL to a PAL,
  • individuals obtaining a new POL or PAL after their previous one expired, or
  • minors renewing their Minor’s Licence.

Your source for firearms services and information

The Canadian Firearms Program combats the illicit movement of firearms and provides support and training to police and the criminal justice system. It also manages universal licensing of firearms users, a system which supports individual use of firearms for hunting and various recreational purposes. And the CFP maintains national firearms safety training standards: over 1 million Canadians have now completed the CFP’s Canadian Firearms Safety Course. All information is recorded for public safety purposes in the Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS), which is managed by the RCMP.

Show me some numbers!

The CFP has developed a new and more robust performance and statistical information package. The new “Performance Information” is posted quarterly, and provides new information as well as historical data which shows the CFP’s evolution and contribution to public safety.

There are almost 1.9 million firearms licence holders in Canada

While the vast majority of firearm owners are responsible and comply with the law, over 22,000 firearms licences have been refused or revoked by the CFP for public safety reasons. Most revocations are due to court orders following a conviction.

The CFP is the source of firearms information for front-line police

If a police officer gets a call that may involve firearms, the CFP is there to help. The Canadian Firearms Registry Online (CFRO) contains information on all firearms licence holders as well as registered firearms. CFRO is a check that officers can use prior to attending a call, and is currently being accessed more than 14,000 times a day.

How else does the CFP promote a safe and secure Canada?

Continuous eligibility screening of all firearms licence holders alerts Chief Firearms Officers to public safety risks so appropriate action can be taken. This is done automatically, by computer, every day.

Enhanced screening is an initiative under which trained CFP staff speak directly with a firearms licence applicant and their references to gain more comprehensive knowledge about the applicant.

A national program - Decisions regarding firearms licences apply everywhere in Canada, eliminating public safety gaps.

What's New

24 JUNE 2011
Two Zoraki Blank Firing Pistols Identified as Prohibited Firearms

16 MAY 2011
The Government of Canada has announced the fees for most firearms licence renewals or upgrades have been waived until May 16, 2012, extending the existing waiver for one more year. 

02 MAY 2011
Flare Gun Determined to be Restricted Firearm

30 MARCH 2011
Extension of firearms compliance measures until May 16, 2013

1 DECEMBER 2010

14 OCTOBER 2010
The 2009 Commissioner of Firearms Report is now available

31 AUGUST 2010
Canadian Firearms Program - Evaluation

Compliance Incentives

Date Modified: 2012-05-18

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