Firearms law in Canada
Last reviewed: 2026-05-06 · editorial review
Canada classifies firearms as Non-Restricted, Restricted, or Prohibited under the Firearms Act 1995. Most rifles and shotguns are Non-Restricted; almost all handguns are Restricted (and as of 2022, frozen — no new transfers to civilians); fully-automatic and many semi-auto centre-fire rifles are Prohibited.
Owners need a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) issued by the RCMP after a Canadian Firearms Safety Course and police vetting. Restricted handgun owners need an additional Restricted PAL endorsement.
Key laws
- Firearms Act 1995 — three-tier classification, PAL system.
- Bill C-21 (2022) — handgun transfer freeze; expanded prohibited list.
- OIC 2020-0298 — order-in-council reclassifying ~1,500 models as prohibited.
Licences in Canada
- Possession & Acquisition Licence (Non-Restricted) · 18+ · training required
- Restricted PAL endorsement · 18+ · training required
- Firearms Business Licence · 18+
Licence → what you can own
Quick-glance matrix. Click a licence for the full conditions.
| Licence | Non-Restricted firearms | Restricted firearms | Prohibited firearms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession & Acquisition Licence (Non-Restricted) | ✓ | ✗ | — |
| Restricted PAL endorsement | ✓ | Authorisation to Transport (ATT) required | — |
| Firearms Business Licence | ✓ | ✓ | — |
Key: ✓ permitted (often with conditions) · ✗ not permitted under this licence · — class is prohibited in Canada
Province laws
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Always check with your local firearms registry or a lawyer for your specific situation.