Preventing firearm-related harm or misuse
If a situation is urgent or life threatening, call 911 or your local police emergency number.
On this page
- "Red flag" laws
- "Red flag" laws : Resources
- Expanded licence revocations and licence ineligibility
- "Yellow flag" law
The Government of Canada is committed to addressing self-harm and domestic, gender-based, and intimate partner violence involving firearms.
Law enforcement officers continue to have an essential role in working to prevent crime and intervening where there is a risk of firearm violence. This can include removing a firearm if there is a safety risk. It can also include applying to a court for a prohibition order when there are reasonable grounds to do so, whether using the "red flag" laws or existing Criminal Code provisions that allow for a longer-term prohibition order.
There are tools available that anyone can access to help prevent firearm-related harm or misuse.
- In urgent or life-threatening situations
Always call 911 or your local police emergency number. Police officers may take someone's firearms, firearm licences, or weapons if they believe there is a risk to anyone's safety. If you or someone you know are experiencing thoughts of suicide or hopelessness, you can call or text 9-8-8, and a responder will be there to support you. The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is available in all provinces and territories across Canada, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. - In non-urgent situations with safety risks
Consider calling 911 or your local police emergency number, even in non-urgent situations involving a firearm safety risk. You can also apply to a provincial or territorial court for an emergency prohibition order or an emergency limitations on access order. If a judge issues one of these orders, firearms may be removed temporarily from those found to be a safety risk, or terms and conditions could be imposed to ensure that they cannot access firearms. These orders are also known as “red flag” laws. - In non-urgent situations with no safety risks
You can report other firearm-related concerns including concerns related to storage, transportation, use, or more, by contacting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 or by e-mail at cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
"Red flag" laws
Emergency prohibition and limitations on access orders, also known as "red flag" laws, help address situations where an individual poses a safety risk to themselves or others—including people at risk of suicide and domestic, intimate partner, and gender-based violence. Learn more about "red flag" laws and how they work.
"Red flag" laws: Resources
See the following fact sheets to better understand the "red flag" legislation and other harm reduction measures:
- Emergency prohibition order: Process flowchart
- Tools to address risk
- Protections available for “red flag” applicants
- When subject to an emergency prohibition order (EPO)
- When subject to an emergency limitations on access order (ELAO)
Expanded licence revocations and licence ineligibility
As of April 4, 2025, enhanced licence revocations and ineligibility measures will help protect those in danger from firearms violence in the following instances:
- In situations of domestic violence and/or criminal harassment (e.g. stalking); or
- When an individual has been convicted of an offence in the commission of which violence was used, threatened or attempted against their intimate partner or any member of their family.
Learn more about the expanded licence revocation and ineligibility measures.
Temporary licence suspension ("yellow flag" law)
As of March 7, 2025, a temporary licence suspension regime is in place. This is also known as the "yellow flag" law. Learn more about the temporary licence suspension regime.
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