Main changes to firearms legislation
Amendments to the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act
| Previous legislation | Amendments to firearms legislation | |
|---|---|---|
| Background check prior to issuing a firearms license | Mandatory consideration of eligibility criteria, e.g. history of violence, for previous 5 years. | Mandatory consideration of eligibility criteria that spans a person’s lifetime including a history of domestic violence and making online threats. This amendment came into force on July 7, 2021. |
| Transfer of non-restricted firearms | Verification of a valid firearms licence with the Registrar of Firearms before transfer has not been legally required since 2012. | Individuals and businesses must verify the firearms licence with the Registrar of Firearms before the transfer of a non-restricted firearm. The proposed regulations were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part 1 for a 30-day public consultation period that ended on July 26th, 2021. These Regulations came into force on May 18, 2022. |
| Business Record-Keeping | No requirement for businesses to keep records related to non-restricted firearms. | Businesses that transfer ownership of non-restricted firearms must keep records of inventory and sales, as was the case between 1979 and 2005. Availability of business records and access supports efforts by police to investigate crime, and often requires presentation of a judicial authorization. Neither the RCMP nor the Government of Canada will hold information on the firearm transferred. Individuals are not required to keep records of sale. The proposed regulations were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part 1 for a 30-day public consultation period that ended on July 26th, 2021. These Regulations came into force on May 18, 2022. |
| Classification of firearms | The Governor-in-Council had authority to deem prohibited or restricted firearms as being a less restrictive class. | Legislation repeals the Government's ability to override a firearm's classification by returning full responsibility to technical experts who will make these determinations based on the criteria set out by Parliament in the Criminal Code. This amendment will come into force at a later date once necessary regulatory changes have been put in place. |
| Transport of restricted and prohibited firearms | No authorization required to transport non-restricted firearms. |
No change. |
Authorization to transport restricted and prohibited firearms to certain locations were automatic. |
Authorization to transport to a shooting range or to home after purchase remains automatic. Re-instatement of requirement to apply for an authorization to transport restricted and prohibited firearms to a gunsmith, gun show, port of entry, and police or peace officer. This amendment came into force on July 7, 2021. |
- Date modified: