Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted: SOR/2025-86

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 7

Registration
SOR/2025-86 March 7, 2025

CRIMINAL CODE

P.C. 2025-322 March 7, 2025

Whereas the Governor in Council is not of the opinion that any thing prescribed to be a prohibited firearm in the annexed Regulations is reasonable for use in Canada for hunting or sporting purposes;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted under paragraph (d)footnote a of the definition prohibited firearm in subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code footnote b and subsection 117.15(1)footnote a of that Act.

Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted

Amendment

1 Part 1 of the schedule to the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted footnote 1 is amended by adding the following after item 200:

201 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Armed SF12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

202 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Armed Stryker shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Armed Stryker ML 12.

203 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Asena Asena shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

204 The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Best Arms BA912 and the Landor Arms BPX 902 shotguns, and any variant or modified version of them, including the

205 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Breda PG rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

206 The firearm of the design commonly known as the CZ VZ52 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the CZ VZ52/57.

207 The firearm of the design commonly known as the CZ ZH29 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

208 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Derya Arms MK10 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Derya Arms MK10 Gen 2.

209 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Escort Escort Raider shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

210 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Farquhar & Hill Farquhar & Hill Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

211 The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Final Defense FD12 and the True North Arms Ros-1 shotguns, and any variant or modified version of them, including the

212 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Franchi LF57 submachine gun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

213 The firearm of the design commonly known as the HAFDASA Ballester Rigaud carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.

214 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Hotchkiss Universal rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

215 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Hunt Group MH-S shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

216 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Husan MKA 1923 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Canuck Spectre.

217 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Irunguns ATF SBR-9 Prototype rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Irunguns ATF SBR-9.

218 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Lever Arms LA-K12 Puma shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

219 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Ljungman AG42 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

220 The firearm of the design commonly known as the MAS 1928 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

221 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Mauser 1915 Automatic Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

222 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Omega Weapons Systems Incorporated SPS-12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

223 The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Panzer Arms BP-12 and the Tokarev USA TBP12 shotguns, and any variant or modified version of them, including the EGE JAWS BP12.

224 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Ranger Bullpup shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

225 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Reising 50 submachine gun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

226 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Revolution Armory Titan K78 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

227 The firearm of the design commonly known as the SIG SK46 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

228 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Smith & Wesson M1940 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

229 The firearm of the design commonly known as the SRM Arms 12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

230 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Standard Manufacturing SKO shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

231 The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Tokarev SVT 1938 and the Tokarev SVT 1940 rifles, and any variant or modified version of them, including the

232 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Tomahawk G3 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Tomahawk G5.

233 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Tomahawk W11 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

234 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Torun Arms TS H-1 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

235 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Tracker Arms HG-105 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

236 The firearm of the design commonly known as the US Carbine M1, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

237 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Uzkon Typhoon ARS12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

238 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Uzkon UNG-12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.

239 The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Villar Perosa M1915, the Villar Perosa OVP and the Beretta 1918 submachine guns, and any variant or modified version of them, including the Beretta 1918/30.

240 The firearm of the design commonly known as the Volks Gewehr VG1-5 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.

Application Prior to Publication

2 For the purpose of paragraph 11(2)(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act, these Regulations apply according to their terms before they are published in the Canada Gazette.

Coming into Force

3 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are made.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations or the Order.)

Canada has experienced mass shootings in rural and urban areas such as in Nova Scotia, Quebec City, Montréal, and Toronto. Whether at home or abroad, the deadliest mass shootings are commonly perpetrated with Assault Style Firearms (ASFs). These events and concerns about the inherent deadliness of ASFs have led to public demand for measures to address gun violence and mass shootings in Canada.

The Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted (Classification Regulations) are being amended to prohibit 40 families of ASFs encompassing 179 unique makes and models, including current and future variants of those firearms. A corresponding Amnesty Order, made pursuant to section 117.14 of the Criminal Code, is also being made to protect owners of the newly prohibited firearms from criminal liability while taking steps to come into compliance with the law, including by participating in the Assault Style Firearm Compensation Program (ASFCP).

Background

In May 2020, the Classification Regulations were amended (SOR/2020-96) to prohibit nine families of firearms used in mass shootings in Canada and internationally, encompassing approximately 1 500 makes and models of ASFs and any current or future variants of these firearms. Three policy criteria were applied in developing the list of firearms prohibited via the May 2020 regulation: 1) semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical/military design with large capacity magazine); 2) modern design; and 3) present in large volumes in the Canadian market. Only firearms that matched all three criteria were prohibited. An Amnesty Order (2020 Amnesty Order) was put in place to protect affected businesses and individuals from criminal liability while they take steps to come into compliance with the law. The Government also committed to providing compensation for these firearms via the ASFCP.

On December 5, 2024, the Classification Regulations were again amended (SOR/2024-0248) to prohibit 104 families of firearms, encompassing 324 unique makes and models (including current and future variants) because they also have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical/military design with large magazine capacity). As with those prohibited in May 2020, given the basic characteristics they possess, a tactical or military design with large capacity magazine, their inherent deadliness makes them unsuitable for civilian use and a serious threat to public safety given the degree to which they can increase the severity of mass shootings. This prohibition included firearms that were on the market in May 2020, as well as new variants and new models that had since entered the market (including restricted and non-restricted firearms). A second amnesty order (2024 Amnesty Order) was made to protect affected owners and the Government committed to providing compensation for these additional prohibited ASFs through the ASFCP.

At that time, and informed by Parliamentary debate and engagement in the context of former Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms) [S.C., 2023, c. 32], a number of makes and models of firearms were excluded from the 2024 prohibition pending further analysis. The Government announced an Expert Advisory Panel (the Panel) had been convened to analyze the firearms and provide advice. On January 31, 2025, the Panel submitted its report (Panel Report) to Public Safety Canada.

This initiative is informed by the Panel’s Report and earlier consultations and also takes into consideration the mass shooting events involving ASFs and public concerns involving their inherent deadliness. Similar to the ASFs prohibited in 2020 and 2024, given the basic characteristics they possess, namely a tactical or military design with large capacity magazine, the newly prohibited firearms are a serious threat to public safety. While some of the newly prohibited firearms were previously non-restricted and may have been used by some individuals for hunting or sporting purposes, it is the view of the Government that these firearms are unreasonable and disproportionate for such purposes. The decision to prohibit these firearms is consistent with previous decisions to prohibit firearms with the same technical characteristics. As a next step, the Government has reaffirmed its intent to launch a review to improve the firearms classification framework, including as it relates to firearms remaining on the market.

Over 19 000 non-restricted makes and models, equating to over 127 000 variations of firearms, remain legally available for hunting and sport shooting in Canada.

Pursuant to subsections 84(1) and 117.15(1) of the Criminal Code, the Governor in Council (GIC) has the authority to prescribe a firearm to be prohibited in accordance with the definition of “prohibited firearm” in the Criminal Code.

The Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted (Regulations) amend the Classification Regulations to prescribe certain firearms as prohibited firearms. Specifically, the amendments prohibit 40 families, encompassing 179 unique makes and models of ASFs, including current and future variants of these firearms.

Pursuant to section 117.14 of the Criminal Code, the GIC is also authorized to declare an amnesty period when a firearm is prohibited for the purpose of permitting affected owners to come into compliance with the law. An amnesty order will accompany the Regulations to protect affected businesses and individuals who were in lawful possession of one or more of the newly prohibited firearms on the day the Regulations come into force and who continue to hold a valid licence through the amnesty period from criminal liability as they take steps to come into compliance with the law.

During the amnesty period, the Government intends to offer compensation to affected owners for the value of their newly prohibited firearms through the ASFCP after they are disposed of in accordance with program requirements. However, until the program is opened to these newly prohibited firearms, affected owners will not be eligible for compensation. Other ways to come into compliance with the law are available to businesses and individuals for the duration of the amnesty period, including delivery to police officer for no compensation, lawful export, deactivation at the owner’s expense, and, if a business, return to manufacturer.

Objective

Prescribing the newly listed firearms as prohibited is intended to limit access to them in Canada, given the significant risks they pose to public safety and the fact that they are unsuitable for civilian use as they have the capability of inflicting significant harm to Canadians. The amendments to the Classification Regulations are intended to reduce the number and availability of these ASFs, and to reduce the possibility of these firearms being diverted to the illegal market. They apply to all variants of the principal model, current or future, whether they are expressly listed or not.

Description

The Classification Regulations have been amended to prescribe as prohibited 40 families of firearms, encompassing 179 unique makes and models of firearms, including current and future variants of these firearms, because they have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical/military design with large magazine capacity). These include firearms that were on the market in May 2020, as well as new firearm variants and new makes and models that have since entered the market (including restricted and non-restricted firearms).

The Amnesty Order has been made to protect affected businesses and individuals who were in legal possession of a newly prohibited firearm at the time the Regulations came into force and continue to hold a valid licence throughout the amnesty period from criminal liability for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm to give affected owners time to dispose of the firearms. Disposal can include having the firearm deactivated by an approved business, delivering the firearm to a police officer, legally exporting the firearm, and, if a business, returning the firearm to the manufacturer. Other permitted activities during the amnesty period are to transport the firearm for any of the above purposes and to use the newly prohibited firearm, if previously non-restricted, to hunt for the purposes of sustenance or to exercise a right recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Individuals are no longer allowed to import the firearms listed in the Regulations. Affected owners will no longer be permitted to sell the prohibited firearms to individuals within Canada, use, or transport them except for the permitted purposes described in the Amnesty Order. The firearms will have to be kept securely stored in accordance with the legal storage requirements for the classification of the specified firearms prior to their prohibition.

Individuals may transport the firearms one time to return home with the firearm if it was not at the owner’s residence at the time the prohibition came into force, or, if not the owner and in possession of the firearm on the day the prohibition came into force, to return the firearm to its owner.

The amnesty period begins on the date of coming into force of the Amnesty Order and expires on March 1, 2026. Upon the expiration of the Amnesty Order, individuals and businesses who are in possession of a prohibited firearm could be prosecuted for unlawful possession.

The Government has committed to providing affected owners of the newly prohibited ASFs an opportunity to participate in the ASFCP by turning in their ASFs for compensation or by deactivating their affected firearms at Government expense.

While an individual may dispose of a firearm by deactivating it, legally exporting it, or delivering it to a police officer, until the ASFCP is opened to these newly prohibited firearms, compensation will not be available. An individual should not deliver a firearm to a police station without first making arrangements with a police officer for a safe and scheduled delivery or pick up.

Regulatory development

Consultation

Extensive public engagement on the issue of banning handguns and ASFs, led by the then Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, took place between October 2018 and February 2019 with the provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners, law enforcement, community organizations, and industry. The intent of this engagement was to hear from a wide range of stakeholders, which included those both in support of and in opposition to limiting access to firearms. The engagement process included a series of eight in-person roundtables, an online questionnaire, a written submission process, and bilateral meetings with a range of stakeholders. The roundtables were held in four cities across the country (Vancouver, Montréal, Toronto, and Moncton), and 77 stakeholders participated in these sessions. In addition, 134 917 responses to an online questionnaire were received, as well as 36 written submissions, and 92 stakeholders were consulted in the bilateral meetings.

Many participants expressed their views that a ban on ASFs was needed to protect public safety. The views and perspectives provided through these various engagements have informed the changes to the Classification Regulations.

In the context of Parliament’s consideration of former Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), in 2022 and 2023, there was extensive parliamentary debate and engagement with Indigenous groups and stakeholders on ASFs. A broad range of views and considerations were raised, including the public safety imperative of achieving a comprehensive prohibition of ASFs and concerns regarding potential impacts on hunting.

In November 2024, the Government also convened an Expert Advisory Panel to provide advice on the firearms that remain on the market and that required further analysis, with a focus on those that may be suitable for hunting and sport shooting. On January 31, 2025, the Panel submitted its report to Public Safety Canada. The Panel Report, including factors, considerations and recommendations were reviewed, considered, and informed the development of this regulatory proposal, as did earlier consultations. The Panel was also mandated to provide advice on parameters and considerations for the launch of a comprehensive review of the firearms classification regime.

As a result of the clear need for action to implement the ban on the prescribed prohibited firearms, and to avoid a potential run on the market, no additional consultations have been conducted on the Regulations.

While there have not been any specific consultations on the Amnesty Order as it applies to the newly prohibited firearms, it is not expected that the Amnesty Order will raise any public concerns given its purpose and time-limited nature.

Indigenous engagement, consultation and Modern Treaty obligations

The Amnesty Order permits the use of any of the newly prohibited firearms, if previously non-restricted, to hunt for the purposes of sustenance or to exercise a right recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. From fall 2018 to spring 2019, the Government held extensive engagement with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, academics, victim groups and other key stakeholders on limiting access to assault-style firearms and handguns. Additional dedicated engagement with Indigenous communities was undertaken during the parliamentary study of former Bill C-21.

Recognizing that some Indigenous and sustenance hunters could be using previously non-restricted firearms for their hunting and may be unable to replace these firearms immediately, the Amnesty Order includes provisions for the limited use of these firearms for such purposes. Following the publication of the Regulations, the Government will continue to engage with Indigenous partners to assess the impacts of the regulations.

Instrument choice

Given that the Regulations specifically prescribe firearms as prohibited or restricted in Canada, amendments to the Regulations are required to change the current listing of any firearms. The identified firearms will be reclassified as prohibited to reduce the number and availability of ASFs in Canadian markets and to reduce the possibility of these firearms being diverted to illegal markets.

Regulatory analysis

Benefits and costs

There are 2.3 million individual firearms licence holders in Canada. It is unknown how many ASFs are affected by the prohibition. However, there are approximately 3 800 previously restricted ASFs affected. The number of previously non-restricted ASFs affected is unknown (because non-restricted firearms do not need to be registered in accordance with the Firearms Act). The majority of affected owners of the currently restricted firearms reside in Alberta, British Columbia or Ontario. The regional breakdown for affected owners of the currently non-restricted firearms is unknown.

A Conference Board of Canada report on The Economic Footprint of Angling, Hunting, Trapping and Sport Shooting in Canada published in September 2019, found that an estimated 1.4 million Canadians participate in legal sport shooting. These sport shooters may find themselves temporarily unable to participate in the sport if their primary means of participating is with a newly prohibited firearm. Sport shooters may already possess or may purchase other firearms suitable for sport shooting, and if they turn in their prohibited firearm during the ASFCP, would receive compensation. Sport shooting contributed an estimated $1.8 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018, as well as $868 million in labour income, and supports about 14 555 full-time equivalent jobs. These figures may be affected in the short term by the prohibition on certain firearms, but these impacts may be mitigated by increases in purchases of new firearms that are not being prohibited.

In addition, 1.3 million Canadians participate in legal hunting. These owners may also be affected if they have been using a newly prohibited firearm that was previously nonrestricted. If they have been using such a firearm for sustenance hunting or to exercise a right recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, they may continue to use their firearm for the same purpose, until the end of the amnesty period. Hunting contributes an estimated $4.1 billion to Canada’s GDP as well as $2 billion in labour income, and supports about 33,313 full-time equivalent jobs.

The 2023 Commissioner of Firearms Report states that there are 4 036 licenced firearms businesses, of which 1 658 are for ammunition only, not including carriers and museums. Firearms business licences are issued to businesses, museums, or organizations that manufacture, sell, possess, handle, display or store firearms or ammunition. The number of small businesses included in these figures is unknown, but likely comprises a large majority. Some of these businesses may see in the short term a decrease in profits as a result of the prohibition. These impacts may be mitigated by the ASFCP program and the ability to return prohibited firearms to their manufacturer, and potentially by purchases of new firearms to replace those being prohibited.

Small business lens

While small businesses may assume some compliance costs arising from these Regulations, the costs are extremely difficult to assess as the inventory held by private businesses is unknown. Some costs may include lost interest from the inability to sell this inventory for a profit and possible restocking fees if the business chooses to return the affected firearms in their inventory to their foreign supplier for reimbursement. Firearms that cannot be exported may be eligible for the ASFCP.

It is likely that businesses selling newly prohibited firearms would experience a reduction in sales and as a result may reduce staff or cease operations. Some businesses may choose to switch to a new product line to replace those firearms.

One-for-one rule

The one-for-one rule does not apply to these Regulations as there will be no incremental change in administrative burden to business. The Regulations do not introduce new administrative requirements for businesses.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

The classification of firearms falls within federal jurisdiction: provinces and territories are responsible for the administration of justice in this area. As this proposal is to prohibit firearms in efforts to enhance public safety, there are no opportunities for regulatory cooperation.

International obligations

As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Canada must comply with different notification obligations before making regulations that could have an impact on trade. These notification obligations do not appear to apply in this case.

Effects on the environment

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA Directive) a preliminary scan concluded that a SEEA is not required.

There will be low environmental impacts resulting from the ASFCP and the subsequent disposal/destruction of prohibited firearms.

Gender-based analysis plus

The proposed measures are expected to have a gender differential impact on certain populations in Canada. According to data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Canadian Firearms Program (CFP), males represent the largest demographic with a firearms licence (86 percent males versus 14 percent females; January 2022) and own more restricted and prohibited firearms (1 044 963 belong to males and 47 829 to females). Additionally, men accounted for about two-thirds (66%) of victims of firearm-related violent crime in 2022. Men aged 18 to 24 were most likely to have been the target of a violent crime involving a firearm in 2022 and boys aged 12 to 17 had the second-highest victim rate (76.3 victims of firearm-related violent crime per 100 000 boys).

Indigenous people may also be disproportionately affected. For example, in 2022, 41% of homicides were firearm-related and the homicide rate for Indigenous people was nearly seven times higher than for the non-Indigenous population. Over two-thirds (69%) of Indigenous homicide victims were identified by police as First Nations, while 3% were identified as Métis and 4% as Inuk (Inuit).

Additionally, racialized people accounted for almost half (48%) of firearm-related homicide victims in 2022, including Black individuals who were especially overrepresented, accounting for a quarter (25%) of firearm-related homicide victims.

More people in rural areas own firearms than in urban locations. For example, 37.3 percent of respondents from small towns own a firearm compared to 2.8 percent in communities with populations over one million. Also, the increase in firearm-related violent crime from 2013 to 2022 was especially large in the territories (+139%) and in rural areas of the Provincial North (+141%). In urban areas in the Provincial South, the rate rose 45% during this period.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is one of the most prevalent forms of Gender-Based Violence. According to Statistics Canada women are more likely to experience the most severe forms of IPV such as being sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, or threatened with a weapon, including firearms. For example, in 2023, a firearm was present for 1.2% (1 038) of victims of intimate partner violence, and 84% of these victims were women and girls.

These amendments to prohibit additional firearms access are expected to have a positive impact on decreasing the number of victims of firearm-related violent crime, including with respect to the populations noted above, and improving public safety. At the same time, some firearms owners may be negatively impacted. The accompanying Amnesty Order would mitigate the risks and protect affected individuals from criminal liability. Disaggregated data related to firearms use is collected by Statistics Canada, the RCMP and Public Safety. It will be used to monitor the impacts of proposed amendments and take additional measures, as needed.

Rationale

The Regulations address gun violence and the threat to public safety by prohibiting the additional 179 unique makes and models of ASFs as well as current and future variants. Their inherent deadliness makes them unsuitable for civilian use and a serious threat to public safety given the degree to which they can increase the severity of mass shootings.

Prescribing these firearms as prohibited supports the Government’s objective to ban ASFs and to reduce the risk of diversion to illegal markets for criminal use and is informed by the Panel Report and earlier consultations. The list prohibits ASFs within the Canadian market that have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability.

The prohibited firearms are not reasonable for hunting or sport shooting. Individuals may have used some of the listed firearms for hunting purposes on the basis that they were previously classified as non-restricted firearms. In addition, some of the listed firearms may have been used by individuals for sport shooting on the basis that they have been classified as restricted or non-restricted. However, the fact that these firearms are sometimes used for hunting or sport shooting does not supersede the fact that they are semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability and capable of killing a large number of people in a short period of time.

The Amnesty Order encourages compliance with the law and seeks to protect lawful firearms owners who acted in good faith when they acquired the firearms before the coming into force of Regulations and the Amnesty Order. It provides affected owners with a reasonable amount of time to divest themselves of the firearms by any of the means set out in the Amnesty Order. The Government intends to implement the ASFCP for these newly prohibited firearms, which would allow affected owners participating in the program to be eligible for compensation once the owner turns in the firearm.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

Implementation

The amendment to the Classification Regulations and the Amnesty Order come into force on the day on which they are made. The Amnesty Order will expire on March 1, 2026.

Compliance and enforcement

The disposal of the prescribed prohibited firearms is dependent on voluntary compliance by affected owners and businesses. Calculation of the compliance rate will be complicated by the lack of information about non-restricted firearms and their owners; the compliance rate for non-restricted firearms will be based on the number of owners who declare themselves to be in possession of one or more affected firearms. The amount of compensation being offered per firearm may also affect the level of compliance. Communications are in place emphasizing the obligation on affected owners to comply with the new prohibitions, and further public communications on the ASFCP will follow in the near future.

Those who remain in possession of these firearms at the end of the amnesty period could be subject to criminal liability for unlawful possession.

Contact

Public Safety Canada
General inquiries
Telephone: 613‑944‑4875 or 1‑800‑830‑3118
Email: ps.firearms-armesafeu.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca

Department of Justice
General inquiries:
Telephone: 613‑957‑4222
Email: webadmin@justice.gc.ca