Source: http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca
What are the main provisions of the Firearms Act?
The Firearms Act and related Regulations establish the following main provisions:
You must have a licence to possess any firearm by 1 Jan 2001;
You must register ALL firearms by 1 Jan 2003 or re-register in the case of restricted
and prohibited firearms owned by individuals.
To be eligible for a licence TO ACQUIRE a firearm, you must pass a firearms safety test. You do not have to take this test if you just want to continue to possess a firearm that you already legally own;
If you apply for a licence to ACQUIRE and POSSESS firearms, a Firearms Officer is
required under the law to contact current and previous spouses for the past two years to learn if they believe that granting a licence to you would endanger any person. Based on information provided by police, the Firearms Officer may approve or refuse your application based on the principle of protecting public safety;
A licence may be refused to an applicant if a Firearms Officer or a court rules that it is
not in the interest of public safety to issue the licence. The applicant will be told the
reasons for the refusal, but the Firearms Officer is not permitted to release information which might endanger any person;
A person must have an Authorization to Transport a restricted firearm (such as a
handgun) from one place to another, for
example, between a home and a shooting range.
A person must have an Authorization to Carry a restricted firearm and certain prohibited
handguns on their person. If a person is authorized to carry a restricted firearm, it must be carried in a holster.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked or disabled when they are stored, and
ammunition must be stored in a separate location;
Firearms Officers have a legal right to inspect businesses and dwelling houses in which prohibited firearms, gun collections, or more than ten firearms are kept. The purpose of inspection is to increase public safety by ensuring compliance with the Firearms Act and Regulations. Unless criminal activity is suspected, a Firearms Officer will conduct an inspection only after making advance arrangements with the person who possesses the firearms;
Special provisions are made in the Firearms Act for regulating different kinds of firearms businesses. The role of the
Firearms Officer includes helping these businesses comply with the regulations so as to ensure public safety. Businesses include outfitters, retailers, security services,
assemblers, carriers, movie companies, pawnbrokers, veterinarians, museums and
others. Special provisions also exist in the Act to accommodate the special needs of
Aboriginal people and people who hunt or trap as a way of life;
You can make an appeal to the courts if you don't agree with a decision made by a
Firearms Officer to revoke or refuse to issue licences, registration certificates or
authorizations.
What are the main provisions of the Firearms Act?
The Firearms Act and related Regulations establish the following main provisions:
You must have a licence to possess any firearm by 1 Jan 2001;
You must register ALL firearms by 1 Jan 2003 or re-register in the case of restricted
and prohibited firearms owned by individuals.
To be eligible for a licence TO ACQUIRE a firearm, you must pass a firearms safety test. You do not have to take this test if you just want to continue to possess a firearm that you already legally own;
If you apply for a licence to ACQUIRE and POSSESS firearms, a Firearms Officer is
required under the law to contact current and previous spouses for the past two years to learn if they believe that granting a licence to you would endanger any person. Based on information provided by police, the Firearms Officer may approve or refuse your application based on the principle of protecting public safety;
A licence may be refused to an applicant if a Firearms Officer or a court rules that it is
not in the interest of public safety to issue the licence. The applicant will be told the
reasons for the refusal, but the Firearms Officer is not permitted to release information which might endanger any person;
A person must have an Authorization to Transport a restricted firearm (such as a
handgun) from one place to another, for
example, between a home and a shooting range.
A person must have an Authorization to Carry a restricted firearm and certain prohibited
handguns on their person. If a person is authorized to carry a restricted firearm, it must be carried in a holster.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked or disabled when they are stored, and
ammunition must be stored in a separate location;
Firearms Officers have a legal right to inspect businesses and dwelling houses in which prohibited firearms, gun collections, or more than ten firearms are kept. The purpose of inspection is to increase public safety by ensuring compliance with the Firearms Act and Regulations. Unless criminal activity is suspected, a Firearms Officer will conduct an inspection only after making advance arrangements with the person who possesses the firearms;
Special provisions are made in the Firearms Act for regulating different kinds of firearms businesses. The role of the
Firearms Officer includes helping these businesses comply with the regulations so as to ensure public safety. Businesses include outfitters, retailers, security services,
assemblers, carriers, movie companies, pawnbrokers, veterinarians, museums and
others. Special provisions also exist in the Act to accommodate the special needs of
Aboriginal people and people who hunt or trap as a way of life;
You can make an appeal to the courts if you don't agree with a decision made by a
Firearms Officer to revoke or refuse to issue licences, registration certificates or
authorizations.