Canadian Firearms

At a Glance

Canada has some of the most restrictive civilian firearms laws in the Western world — and they tightened significantly in 2020 and 2023. Unlike the United States, there is no constitutional right to bear arms in Canada. All firearms rights are statutory and can be modified or removed by Order in Council without Parliamentary debate.

The result is a system where roughly 2.2 million Canadians hold firearms licences, own an estimated 13 million firearms, and navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment that shifted dramatically under the Trudeau government and is now in flux under the Conservative government that won in 2025.

Froze all civilian handgun transfers, purchases, imports. Existing owners keep theirs. No new acquisitions. CCFR court challenge ongoing — ruling expected 2025.

Banned 1,500+ rifle models by OIC — AR-15, Mini-14, Ruger Mini Thirty, and others. Mandatory buyback stalled. Owners currently retain under amnesty.

Every firearms owner needs a PAL. Restricted class (handguns, specific semi-autos) requires RPAL. Background check, references, safety course.