History of firearms in Canada

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The 19th century

Before 1892, you weren't allowed to carry a handgun if you didn't have reasonable cause to fear assault against your life or property. Justices of the Peace could impose a six-month jail term on anyone carrying a handgun without cause.

In 1892, the first Criminal Code required you to have a basic permit to carry a pistol unless you had cause to fear assault or injury. This was known as a certificate of exemption.

Vendors could no longer sell a pistol to anyone under 16.

Vendors who sold pistols or air guns had to keep a record of:

  • the purchaser's name
  • the date of the sale
  • information that could identify the gun

The 20th century

1913

If the police caught you carrying a handgun outside the home or place of business without a permit, you could get a three-month sentence.

You could no longer transfer a firearm to any person under the age of 16. People under the age of 16 could also not buy a firearm.

The government created the first specific search, seizure and forfeiture powers for firearms and other weapons.

1919 to 1920

A Criminal Code amendment required you to get a permit to possess a firearm, no matter where you kept the firearm. You could get these permits from a magistrate, a chief of police or the RCMP.

British subjects didn't need a permit for shotguns or rifles they already owned. They only needed one for newly acquired firearms.

Permits were valid for one year within the issuing province.

There was no central registry. Local authorities maintained records.

1921

A Criminal Code amendment repealed the requirement for everyone who had a firearm to have a permit. Instead, only non-Canadians needed a permit to have firearms. (British subjects still needed a permit to carry pistols or handguns).

1932 to 1933

Before 1932, to get a permit for a handgun, you only needed to be of "discretion and good character". Starting in 1932, you also had to give reasons for wanting a handgun.

You could only get a permit for a handgun if you were:

  • protecting life or property
  • Intending to use a firearm at an approved shooting club

The government lowered the minimum age for having firearms from 16 to 12 years.

The government created the first mandatory minimum consecutive sentence. It was 2 years for the possession of a handgun or concealable firearm while committing an offence.

The government increased the punishment for carrying a handgun outside the home or place of business from 3 months to a maximum of 5 years.

1934

The government created the first real registration requirement for handguns. Before then, when a permit holder bought a handgun, the person who issued the permit was notified. The new provisions required records identifying:

  • the owner
  • the owner's address
  • the firearm

These records weren't centralized.

The Commissioner of the RCMP or police departments designated as firearms registries issued registration certificates and kept records.

1938

Starting in 1939, you had to re-register your handguns every five years. Before this, certificates were valid indefinitely.

Guns didn't need to have serial numbers, but it became an offence to alter or deface numbers.

The government extended the mandatory 2-year minimum sentence for using a firearm while committing an offence to include the use of any type of firearm in an offence, not just handguns and concealable firearms.

The government raised the minimum age to own a firearm from 12 to 14 years. If you were under 14, you could have access to firearms if you had a "minor's permit".

1939 to 1944

The government postponed re-registration because of World War II.

During the war years, you had to register rifles and shotguns. The government discontinued this after the war ended.

1947

The government expanded the parts of the Criminal Code dealing with "constructive murder" to include any case where a death resulted from the possession or use of any weapon, including any firearm, during the commission of an offence, even if the offender did not intend to kill.

1949

A 1949 Supreme Court decision (R. v. Quon) found that the 2-year mandatory minimum sentence did not apply to common crimes such as armed robbery. It was repealed.

1950

Changes to the Criminal Code meant that you no longer had to renew registration certificates. Certificates became valid indefinitely.

1951

The government centralized the registry system for handguns under the Commissioner of the RCMP.

You now had to register automatic firearms, and these firearms now had to have serial numbers.

1968 to 1969

The government created the categories of "firearm", "restricted weapon" and "prohibited weapon". This ended confusion over specific types of weapons. It also allowed the creation of legislative controls for each of the new categories. The new definitions allowed Order-in-Council to designate weapons as prohibited or restricted.

The government increased the minimum age to get a minor's permit to 16.

For the first time, police could search for firearms and seize them if:

  • they had a warrant from a judge
  • they had reasonable grounds to believe that possession endangered the safety of the owner or any other person, even though no offence had been committed

The current registration system, requiring a separate registration certificate for each restricted weapon, took effect in 1969.

1976

The government introduced Bill C-83. Its proposals included:

  • New offences and stricter penalties for the criminal misuse of firearms
  • The prohibition of fully automatic firearms
  • A licensing system requiring anyone aged 18 or older to get a licence to acquire or possess firearms or ammunition
    • People under 18 were eligible only for minors' permits

The licensing provisions were based on the idea that people should have to show fitness and responsibility before they could use firearms. Bill C-83 would have required licence applicants to include statements from two people willing to guarantee their fitness.

The Bill died on the Order Paper in July.

1977

Bill C-51 passed in the House of Commons. It then received Senate approval and Royal Assent on August 5. The two biggest changes included requirements for:

  • Firearms Acquisition Certificates
  • Firearms and Ammunition Business Permits

The bill also introduced Chief Firearms Officer positions in the provinces.

Other changes included:

  • Provisions dealing with new offences
  • Search and seizure powers
  • Increased penalties
  • New definitions for prohibited and restricted weapons

Fully automatic weapons became prohibited firearms unless they were registered as restricted weapons before January 1, 1978. You could no longer carry a restricted weapon to protect property.

The government reintroduced mandatory minimum sentences. This time, they were in the form of a 1-to 14-year consecutive sentence for the actual use (not mere possession) of a firearm to commit an indictable offence.

1978

All the provisions contained in Bill C-51 came into force, except for the requirements for Firearms Acquisition Certificates and for Firearms and Ammunition Business Permits.

1979

The requirements for Firearms Acquisition Certificates and Firearms and Ammunition Business Permits came into force. Both involved the screening of applicants and record-keeping systems. Provinces could require Firearms Acquisition Certificate applicants to take a firearm safety course.

1990

The government introduced Bill C-80 but it died on the Order Paper. Many of the proposals contained in Bill C-80 were later included in Bill C-17. Among the major changes proposed by Bill C-80 were:

  • The prohibition of automatic firearms converted to semi-automatics to avoid the 1978 prohibition
  • The creation of new controls for other types of military or para-military firearms
  • Better screening of Firearms Acquisition Certificate applicants

1991 to 1994

The government introduced Bill C-17. The bill:

  • passed in the House of Commons on November 7
  • received Senate approval and Royal Assent on December 5, 1991
  • came into force between 1992 and 1994

Changes to the Firearms Acquisition Certificate system included:

  • Requiring applicants to provide a photograph and two references
  • Imposing a mandatory 28-day waiting period for an Firearms Acquisition Certificate
  • A mandatory requirement for safety training
  • Expanding the application form to provide more background information
  • More detailed screening check of Firearms Acquisition Certificate applicants

Some other major changes included:

  • Increased penalties for firearm-related crimes
  • New Criminal Code offences
  • New definitions for prohibited and restricted weapons
  • New regulations for firearms dealers
  • Clearly defined regulations for the safe storage, handling and transportation of firearms
  • A requirement that firearm regulations be drafted for review by parliamentary committee before being made by Governor-in-Council

A major focus of the new legislation was the need for controls on military, paramilitary and high-firepower guns. New controls in this area included:

  • The prohibition of large-capacity cartridge magazines for automatic and semi-automatic firearms
  • The prohibition of automatic firearms that were converted to avoid the 1978 prohibition (existing owners were exempted)
  • A series of Orders-in-Council prohibiting or restricting most paramilitary rifles and some types of non-sporting ammunition

Firearms Acquisition Certificate applicants had to show knowledge of the safe handling of firearms starting in 1994. To show knowledge, you either:

  • had to pass the test for a firearms safety course approved by a provincial Attorney General
  • needed a firearms officer to certify that you could handle firearms safely

Safety courses had to now cover firearms laws as well as safety issues.

After the 1993 federal election, the new government wanted to proceed with further controls. These included some form of licensing and registration system that would apply to all firearms and their owners. Provincial and federal officials met several times to define issues related to universal licensing and registration proposals.

Between August 1994 and February 1995, the government defined the options for policy and drafted new legislation.

1995

The government introduced Bill C-68 on February 14. Senate approval and Royal Assent were granted on December 5, 1995. Major changes included:

  • Criminal Code amendments providing harsher penalties for certain serious crimes using firearms (for example, kidnapping, murder)
  • The creation of the Firearms Act, to take the administrative and regulatory aspects of the licensing and registration system out of the Criminal Code
  • A new licensing system to replace the Firearms Acquisition Certificate system
  • You had to have a licence to possess and acquire firearms, and to buy ammunition
  • Registration of all firearms, including shotguns and rifles

The Firearms Registrar issued registration certificates. The registrar was responsible for registering firearms owned by individuals and businesses.

The Firearms Act allowed for the appointment of ten Chief Firearms Officers, one for each province. Some provinces also included a territory. Provincial or federal governments could appoint Chief Firearms Officers. Chief Firearms Officers were responsible for issuing, renewing, and revoking firearms licences.

1996

The provisions requiring mandatory minimum sentences for serious firearms crimes came into effect in January. The Canada Firearms Centre developed the regulations, systems and infrastructure needed to implement the Firearms Act. To ensure that the regulations reflected the needs of Canadians, officials consulted with:

  • the provinces and territories
  • groups and individuals with an interest in firearms

The Minister of Justice tabled proposed regulations on November 27. These dealt with:

  • All fees payable under the Firearms Act
  • Licensing requirements for firearms owners
  • Safe storage, display and transportation requirements for individuals and businesses
  • Authorizations to transport restricted or prohibited firearms
  • Authorizations to carry restricted firearms and prohibited handguns for limited purposes
  • Authorizations for businesses to import or export firearms
  • Conditions for transferring firearms from one owner to another
  • Record-keeping requirements for businesses
  • Adaptations for Indigenous Peoples

1997

In January and February, a government committee held public hearings on the proposed regulations. Following the hearings, the committee made 39 recommendations to improve the regulations. They clarified the provisions and recognized the needs of firearms users. The committee also recommended that the government develop communications programs to inform Canadians about the new law.

In April, the Minister of Justice tabled the government's response. The government accepted all but one of the committee's 39 recommendations. It rejected a recommendation for an additional step in the licence approval process.

In October, the Minister of Justice tabled some amendments to the 1996 regulations as well as regulations dealing with:

  • firearms registration certificates
  • exportation and importation of firearms
  • the operation of shooting clubs and shooting ranges
  • gun shows
  • special authority to possess
  • public agents

1998

The Firearms Act, Bill C-68, came into force on December 1. The government passed the Firearms Act Regulations in March.

The following provinces and territories opted out of administering the act themselves:

  • Alberta
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • The Northwest Territories

The RCMP oversaw the Chief Firearms Officers for these jurisdictions.

The 21st century

2001

Starting January 1, you needed a licence to possess and acquire firearms.

The RCMP created the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team to support law enforcement in stopping the illegal movement of firearms. This team also helped police agencies with:

  • Investigative support
  • Training and lectures
  • Analysis
  • Firearms tracing
  • Expert witnesses
  • Links to a network of national and international firearms investigative groups

2002

The following provinces and territories opted out of administering the act themselves:

  • British Columbia
  • Yukon Territory
  • Newfoundland and Labrador

The RCMP oversaw the Chief Firearms Officers for these jurisdictions.

2003

Pursuant to legislative changes made via the Firearms Act in 1995 (Bill C-68), as of January 1, you needed a valid licence and registration certificate for all firearms, regardless of their legal classification.

Firearms businesses also needed a valid business licence and registration certificate for all their firearms.

The Canada Firearms Centre became an independent agency within the Solicitor General Portfolio.

On May 13, Bill C-10A, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Firearms) and the Firearms Act received Royal Assent. The government consolidated the authority of all operations under a Commissioner of Firearms. The commissioner reported directly to the Solicitor General.

In June, the government tabled proposed amendments to the regulations supporting the Firearms Act. Consultations with key stakeholders about the proposed regulations took place in the fall of 2003.

2005

Some Bill C-10A regulations came into effect, specifically the ones that would:

  • improve service delivery
  • streamline processes
  • improve transparency and accountability

2006

Responsibility for the administration of the Firearms Act and the operation of the Canada Firearms Centre transferred to the RCMP in May 2006. The Commissioner of the RCMP assumed the role of the Commissioner of Firearms.

In June, the government introduced Bill C-21, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act. It was intended to repeal the requirement to register non-restricted firearms. It died on the order paper.

2007

The government reintroduced Bill C-21 as Bill C-24.

2008

The RCMP amalgamated all firearms-related groups into the Canadian Firearms Program.

Bill C-24 died on the order paper in September.

The rest of the Public Agents Firearms Regulations came into force on October 31. Police and other government agencies with firearms needed to report all firearms in their temporary or permanent possession.

2011

On October 25, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness introduced Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (Ending the Long-gun Registry Act).

2012

On April 5, Bill C-19, the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act, came into force. The bill amended the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act to:

  • remove the requirement to register non-restricted firearms
  • order the destruction of existing registration records
  • allow the transferor of a non-restricted firearm to confirm the validity of a transferee's firearms acquisition licence before finalizing the transfer

On April 4, the Government of Quebec filed a court challenge to Bill C-19. As a result, the government kept non-restricted firearms registration records for Quebec. Quebec residents continued to register non-restricted firearms.

In October, the government destroyed all non-restricted firearms registration records, except for Quebec's.

2015

On March 27, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed Quebec's appeal challenging the parts of the Ending the Long Gun Registry Act that required the destruction of the non-restricted registration records. The court also refused to order the transfer of these records to Quebec. As a result, the Canadian Firearms Program stopped accepting and processing registration/transfer applications for non-restricted firearms from Quebec. The government destroyed all official records related to the non-restricted firearms in Quebec.

On June 18, Bill C-42, the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act, received Royal Assent. These provisions came into force:

  • First-time licence applicants had to take part in classroom firearms safety courses
  • The discretionary authority of Chief Firearms Officers became subject to the regulations
  • Stronger Criminal Code provisions relating to prohibiting the possession of firearms when a person is convicted of an offence involving domestic violence
  • The Governor in Council had the authority to prescribe firearms to be non-restricted or restricted

On September 2, two additional provisions of the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act came into force:

  • the elimination of the Possession Only Licence and conversion of all existing Possession Only Licences to Possession and Acquisition Licences
  • the Authorization to Transport became a condition of a licence for certain routine and lawful transportation activities

The provision that created a six-month grace period at the end of a five-year licence came into force in 2017. The provision for permitting the sharing of firearms import information when businesses import restricted and prohibited firearms into Canada is not yet in force.

2018

In March, the government introduced Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms to:

  • strengthen the federal firearms regulatory regime; and
  • provide law enforcement with better tools to help investigate firearms-related crimes.

2019

On June 21, Bill C-71, An Act to Amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms, received Royal Assent. One provision came into force immediately:

  • The Commissioner of Firearms, if requested by the Government of Quebec, shall provide a copy of all records that were in the Canadian Firearms Registry for all non-restricted firearms registered to residents of Quebec on April 3, 2015.

2020

On May 1, the government amended Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted, to prohibit over 1,500 makes and models of "assault-style" firearms and their variants along with certain components.

A two-year Amnesty Order was also established to protect individuals who were in possession of these firearms and devices at the time that these changes came into force from criminal liability while they take steps to comply with the law. The Amnesty also provided for certain exemptions (for example, with respect to sustenance hunting and persons exercising a treaty right under s.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982).

2021

On February 16, the Government introduced Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms). The Bill died on the Order Paper in August.

On July 7, two provisions of An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms (former Bill C-71) came into force:

  • Mandatory lifetime background checks for licence applicants; and
  • Requirement to apply for an Authorization to Transport (ATT) restricted and prohibited firearms to a gunsmith, gun show, port of entry and police or peace officer.

On June 21, proposed regulations to bring into force provisions contained in former Bill C-71 concerning licence verification and business record keeping were tabled in both Houses of Parliament.

2022

On March 16, the government announced an extension to the Amnesty Order for the May 1, 2020, regulatory changes to October 30, 2023.

On May 18, two provisions of An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms (former Bill C-71) came into force:

  • Licence verification prior to any transfer of a non-restricted firearm; and
  • Mandatory record keeping of inventory and sales of non-restricted firearms by firearm businesses.

On May 30, the government re-introduced Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms) to address gun violence and strengthen gun control.

On October 21, a national freeze on the transfer handguns by individuals came into force, via regulatory amendments to the Conditions of Transferring Firearms and Other Weapons Regulations and to the Authorization to Transport Restricted and Prohibited Firearms Regulations. Exemptions were provided to individuals who hold authorizations to carry, and to Olympic and Paralympic coaches, trainers and athletes.

2023

In November, the government extended the Amnesty Order for the May 1, 2020, regulatory changes to October 30, 2025.

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