Amendments to Regulations Supporting the Firearms Act

Canadian Firearms Program

Compliance incentives for firearm owners

The following summarizes the key substantive changes to the regulations supporting the Firearms Act. The amendments are coming into force in stages to give affected businesses, individuals and public agencies time to develop or adjust appropriate procedures to comply.

Regulation Name:

• Gun Show Regulations
• Importation and Exportation of Firearms Regulations (Individuals)
• Importation and Exportation of Firearms Regulations (Businesses)
• Firearms Marking Regulations

Gun Show Regulations

Effective or Anticipated In-Force Date: September 1, 2005 (The original regulations were never brought into effect.)

Key Amendments

• The regulations will apply to all shows where firearms are displayed, sold or offered for sale
  • Effect of Amendment
    Some exemptions in the current regulations have been repealed
• Sponsors will not need to hold a firearms business licence to sponsor a gun show, but they will need approval from the CFO and to notify local police.
  • Effect of Amendment
    The existing licence requirements for those who possess, sell or purchase firearms at a gun show are deemed satisfactory to protect public safety.
• Gun show sponsors will not need to provide evidence of Canadian citizenship or the ability to carry on business in Canada.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It allows more flexibility for non-residents to sponsor a show. Sponsors remain subject to CFO approval.
• The requirement to provide a list of exhibitors and a floor plan to the CFO prior to the show has been repealed.
  • Effect of Amendment
    The existing licence requirements for those who possess, sell or purchase firearms at a gun show are deemed satisfactory to protect public safety.

Importation and Exportation of Firearms Regulations (Individuals)

(Only provisions applying to temporary imports by non-residents are currently in place. Like the provisions for Canadian residents, these have been changed.)

Effective or Anticipated In-Force Date: Spring or early summer 2006

Key Amendments

• Non-residents will have the option of obtaining a pre-processed non-resident firearm declaration to present to a customs officer at the point of entry. Once confirmed by a customs officer, it will have the effect of a temporary licence and registration certificate for up to one year.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It will save non-residents and CBSA staff time at the point of entry by allowing some background checks to be done in advance. Non-residents will continue to have the option of having a declaration form processed at the point of entry, but this declaration will only be valid for 60 days, with the option of one free 60-day renewal.
• When bringing a firearm into Canada, non-residents will need to indicate the date they expect to take it back out.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It will reinforce the non-resident’s responsibility to export the firearm and deter them from illegally leaving firearms in Canada.
• Simplified requirements for Canadian residents will include, for example, eliminating the requirement to declare in writing the re-import of firearms that have temporarily been exported. They will merely need to show their licence and registration certificates for their firearms.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It reduces red tape, fosters greater efficiency at customs and makes compliance easier.
• The requirements for an Authorization to Import will be extended to include firearm slides, cylinders, bolts, breech blocks and barrels in addition to firearms.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It will enable Canada to meet its international commitments to deter the smuggling and illegal trafficking of important firearm parts.

Importation and Exportation of Firearms Regulations (Businesses)

(These regulations were deferred pending amendments to streamline them.)

Effective or Anticipated In-Force Date: Spring or early summer 2006

Key Amendments

• An export permit issued by the Minister of International Trade Canada under the Export and Import Permits Act will be deemed an Authorization to Export under the Firearms Act.
  • Effect of Amendment
    Responsibility for issuing export permits will remain with International Trade Canada. This measure ensures that exporters will only have to apply for one permit to export firearms.
• The requirement of a bar code with a description of imported or exported goods is being repealed. A bill of lading will be required.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It will simplify requirements for businesses exporting or importing firearms.
• Businesses will be able to wait until firearms have been imported into Canada to provide a serial number to the Registrar. A description would still need to be provided in advance.
  • Effect of Amendment
    It recognizes that businesses often do not know the serial numbers of firearms within a shipment are until they receive the firearms.

Firearms Marking Regulations

Effective or Anticipated In-Force Date: April 1, 2006

Key Amendment

The regulations set out specific requirements for permanently stamping or engraving information of newly manufactured or newly imported firearms. They specify what markings will be required, the minimum size of the markings and where markings will need to be placed.There are exemptions for certain temporary imports, including firearms being “specially imported” by a licensed business or brought to Canada by a non-resident for lawful purposes.

Effect of Amendment

These are new regulations that enable Canada to meet its international obligations under the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials.