Coming into Force of the Firearms Marking Regulations
Enabling Acts
Firearms Act
Description
The marking of firearms is a critical element in the process of tracing crime guns and combatting illicit activity, including the trafficking and stockpiling of firearms. Tracing is a best practice undertaken at the outset of an investigation and can assist in providing focus and offering early investigative leads. It also forms a key component of treaties of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) and is an essential tool for international firearms investigations involving Interpol and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, among others.
The Regulations stipulate that (a) the markings need to be permanently stamped or engraved on the frame or receiver of all firearms manufactured in, or imported into, Canada; and (b) domestically manufactured firearms must bear the name of the manufacturer, the serial number and "Canada" or "CA", while imported firearms must be marked with "Canada" or "CA" and the last two digits of the year of import, e.g. "22" for 2022; and (c) the markings must be of specific dimensions. The regulations are set to come into force on December 1, 2025.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The Firearms Marking Regulations would impact all domestic importers of firearms as well as all domestic manufacturers. Both imported and manufactured firearms would need to comply with the marking requirements.
Firearms businesses that import firearms must apply the import marks outlined in the Regulations within 60 days of release by Canadian customs officials or before transfer, whichever is first. Individuals importing firearms on their own are also responsible for ensuring import marks are applied within 60 days of import/release from Canadian customs.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The marking of specific information on firearms is a key element of the tracing process, and is one of several requirements of the UN Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (the UN Firearms Protocol) and the OAS Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials (CIFTA). These international treaties seek to counter the illegal production and movement of firearms by enabling crime guns to be traced in order to combat terrorism, organized crime and other criminal activities. Canada signed the UN Firearms Protocol in 2002 and CIFTA in 1997, and would need to implement the firearms marking regulations in order to ratify either of these treaties.
Consultations
Awareness activities will be undertaken by Public Safety Canada in 2024 to ensure those impacted are aware of and prepared to implement the marking requirements.
Further information
N/A
Departmental contact information
Firearms Policy
Crime Prevention Branch
ps.firearms-armesafeu.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca
Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan
2024.
- Date modified: