Regulations Amending the Firearms Marking Regulations: SOR/2025-227
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 24
Registration
SOR/2025-227 November 6, 2025
FIREARMS ACT
P.C. 2025-789 November 6, 2025
Whereas the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is of the opinion that the change made to the Firearms Marking Regulations footnote a by the annexed Regulations Amending the Firearms Marking Regulations is so immaterial or insubstantial that section 118 of the Firearms Act footnote b should not be applicable in the circumstances;
And whereas the Minister will, in accordance with subsection 119(4) of that Act, have a statement of the reasons why the Minister formed that opinion laid before each House of Parliament;
Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Firearms Marking Regulations under section 117footnote c of the Firearms Act footnote b.
Regulations Amending the Firearms Marking Regulations
Amendment
1 Section 6 of the Firearms Marking Regulations footnote a is replaced by the following:
6 These Regulations come into force on December 1, 2027.
Coming into Force
2 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)
Issues
The Firearms Marking Regulations (the Regulations) are scheduled to come into force on December 1, 2025. However, additional preparatory time is being provided for industry to take steps to comply with the regime when it comes into force.
Background
Firearms tracing is the practice of determining the history of a recovered or seized firearm from the point of manufacture or importation, through the supply chain, until they become illicit or lost. Currently, there is no legal requirement to mark firearms manufactured in or imported into Canada. However, as an industry best practice and to comply with international requirements, most manufacturers imprint a serial number, make, model, manufacturer and country of manufacture. In Canada, import markings are rarely applied.
Domestically, firearms marking is necessary to strengthen Canada’s tracing capabilities. Along with record-keeping, markings increase law enforcement’s ability to identify how a recovered firearm made its way to the illicit market. Without sufficient information on the origin of firearms, reducing firearms smuggling and diversion to the illicit market remains challenging. Tracing can offer early investigative leads, contribute to cost efficiencies for police and increase the effectiveness of law enforcement by focusing investigations and helping to build a strong evidentiary case. The marking of firearms would enhance law enforcement investigations in tracing firearms to the last legal owner. In addition, firearms marking and tracing is an essential tool for international firearms investigations involving Interpol and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, among others.
Canada is a signatory to two international treaties that require firearms markings: the United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (the UN Firearms Protocol) and the Organization of American States Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (OAS CIFTA). These international treaties seek to counter firearms trafficking and the diversion of legal firearms to organized crime, terrorists and other criminal activities by increasing the traceability of firearms. Canada signed the OAS CIFTA in 1997 and the UN Firearms Protocol in 2002 but has not yet ratified these treaties. The obligation to implement firearm markings is also reflected in the 2005 UN International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (also known as the International Tracing Instrument [ITI]), which was adopted to enable States to quickly and effectively identify and trace illicit small arms and light weapons. The ITI is not a legally binding instrument. Rather, it is an international commitment as part of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
In 2004, the Governor in Council made the Regulations in response to the marking requirements outlined in the UN Firearms Protocol and the OAS CIFTA. The Regulations require that markings be permanently stamped or engraved on the frame or receiver of all firearms manufactured in, or imported into, Canada. 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. The Regulations require specific dimensions for the markings to prevent obliteration of the data and allow for tracing. While introduced in 2004, the coming-into-force date has been deferred numerous times and the Regulations have yet to take effect. Combined with the business record-keeping requirements introduced in 2022, once in force, the Regulations will serve as a foundation for Canada to build a comprehensive markings regime.
Markings regulations deferrals
In response to requests by firearms businesses for additional preparatory time, the coming into force of the Regulations, initially set for April 1, 2006, was changed to December 1, 2007. It was subsequently deferred another 10 times. Most recently, the coming into force of the Regulations was deferred from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2025. Additional planned activities to promote industry awareness of the planned coming into force of the regime were not undertaken during this period.
Objective
The objective of this amendment is to delay the coming-into-force date of the Regulations to provide additional preparatory time for Canadian firearms manufacturers and importers to meet the marking requirements and ensure a state of readiness.
Description
This amendment changes the coming into force date of the Regulations from December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2027.
Regulatory development
Consultation
As there is no additional regulatory burden imposed on stakeholders by this two-year deferral, consultation was not undertaken for this amendment.
Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations
The deferral of the coming-into-force date of the Regulations is not expected to impact Indigenous peoples, their rights protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, modern treaties or international human rights obligations.
Instrument choice
A regulatory amendment is necessary to amend the coming-into-force date of the Regulations to December 1, 2027.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
Costs
The initiative will result in some minor costs to inform firearms businesses and law enforcement stakeholders of the deferral of the coming-into-force date through the website of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). In addition, Public Safety Canada will also incur some minor costs to update its websites with information aimed at confirming for Canadian manufacturers and importers the new coming-into-force date.
As impacted stakeholders are not required to apply import markings for an additional two years, only firearms introduced to the Canadian market after December 1, 2027, will need to meet the regulatory requirements. This delays the costs to businesses associated with coming into compliance as well as the benefit of firearms markings to assist tracing efforts by law enforcement.
In addition, continuous deferrals of the Regulations, despite their introduction in 2004, carry certain reputational risks from an international perspective. As a signatory to the UN Firearms Protocol and the OAS CIFTA, and an adopter of the ITI, Canada is expected to take steps towards compliance with the requirements outlined in these instruments.
Small business lens
Analysis under the small business lens concluded that the amendment will impact small businesses. An additional two years will allow impacted small businesses to undertake the necessary steps — including purchasing new equipment or entering into contracts with third-party companies — to come into compliance with the Regulations as of December 1, 2027.
One-for-one rule
The one-for-one rule does not apply, as there is no incremental change in administrative burden on businesses and no regulatory titles are repealed or introduced.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
In order to comply with the marking requirements set out in the UN Firearms Protocol and the OAS CIFTA, Canada is required to develop a markings regime to effectively trace the origin of firearms imported to and manufactured in Canada. Deferring the coming into force of the Regulations would delay a step toward bringing Canada into compliance with the marking requirements of the ITI.
Effects on the environment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental and economic assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
No gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts have been identified for this initiative.
Rationale
This initiative has been deferred multiple times. The previous deferral in December 2023 envisioned engagement with affected businesses before coming into force in 2025, which did not occur. As a result, the coming into force is being deferred again to provide additional preparatory time for businesses.
There are 4 000 firearms businesses in Canada, approximately 560 of them are licensed for importation or manufacturing. Domestic firearms manufacturers are considered to be in a position to meet the marking requirements, as they routinely apply markings on their firearms and, therefore, already have the required equipment. A deferral to December 2027 would provide time for importers to manage their supply, which is sourced months in advance.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
Implementation
The Regulations come into force upon registration.
The Regulations apply to firearms manufactured domestically, as well as imported firearms. Firearms importers would have up to 60 days after import or before transfer of the firearm, whichever is first, to apply import markings. The Regulations do not apply retroactively and therefore only apply to firearms manufactured within Canada, or imported into Canada, on or after December 1, 2027. Affected businesses will have until this date to source any necessary equipment, enter into contracts or make other arrangements in advance of the coming into force of the Regulations.
Compliance and enforcement
As of December 1, 2027, failure to implement the marking requirements as outlined in the Regulations could constitute a breach of the conditions of business licences that all manufacturers and importers must abide by to stay in good standing. Breaching the conditions of a firearms business licence could result in the revocation of the licence, which would bar the owners from operating their business.
Contact
Firearms Policy Division
Email: ps.firearms-armesafeu.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca