Stay Informed
Canadian residents
The Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) is the only licence available to new applicants aged 18 or older.
- You must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before you can apply for a PAL.
- PALs are renewed every five years.
Note
Firearms Acquisition Certificates (FAC) issued under the former law were considered to be licences. They are expired; you must now get a PAL.
Firearms License
A firearms licence shows that the licence holder can possess and use firearms.
A registration certificate identifies a firearm and links the firearm to its owner. You need a registration certificate for restricted and prohibited firearms.
Usually if you are in possession of a firearm, you need a licence even if you are not the owner and never handle the firearm.
If a peace officer finds that you have a firearm without a valid licence, you risk penalties. To reduce that risk, you should apply for a licence as quickly as possible. You need a firearms licence to be able to register any restricted or prohibited firearms. If you already have a licence, please register any restricted and prohibited firearms.
The Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) is the only licence currently available to new applicants. It is renewable every five years. As a general rule, applicants must have passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.
When renewing a PAL with the same privileges, you do not need to resend your training information. But if you want a licence with new or different privileges, you must prove that you have successfully completed the proper training for that type of licence.
From RCMP website
Buying and selling (transferring) firearms
General information
In Canada, a firearm may only be transferred to
- an adult (18 or older) with a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) that is valid for that class of firearm
- a business, museum, or other organization with a firearms business licence
- a public service agency (e.g., a police force, a police academy or certain government departments or agencies)
Firearms Licensing for Non-residents
Non-residents must be 18 years of age or older to use a firearm in Canada or to bring one into the country.
Visiting Canada
If you are coming into Canada with a firearm, please fill out a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration form before you arrive at your entry point into Canada to save you time. Do notsign the form; a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs officer must witness your signature. The fee is $25.
After a CBSA customs officer signs your Declaration, it is a temporary licence and it is valid for 60 days.
- The Declaration is only valid for the person who signs it and only for the firearm(s) listed on it.
- If you are bringing more than three firearms into Canada, please fill out a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Continuation Sheet.
- The Declaration does not permit you to borrow firearms in Canada.
- The Declaration allows you to buy ammunition in Canada for the firearms listed on it.
- You can renew your Declaration for free before it expires. Please contact the Chief Firearms Officer of the province or territory.
Notes
- If you visit Canada often or for longer periods of time, we encourage you to apply for a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) .
- If you already have a firearms licence, and the registration certificates for any restricted firearms, you only need to show those documents to CBSA officers when you enter Canada. You can make an oral declaration. There is no fee.
- You do not need to complete the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration if you have a PAL. However, you must still declare the firearm to the CBSA customs officer.
Borrowing firearms in Canada
You do not need a licence if you want to borrow a firearm in Canada, as long as you are under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed adult. Otherwise, you will need a PAL or a confirmed Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence (for Non-residents).
You will need a sponsor associated with the intended activity, for example, an outfitter or a Canadian resident licensed to hunt in the province where you will be hunting. The sponsor can apply on your behalf. The licence is valid for 60 days and costs $30 Canadian.
A temporary borrowing licence permits the following:
- hunting under the supervision of an outfitter or other person authorized to organize hunting services in Canada
- hunting with a Canadian resident who has the proper firearms licence and hunting licence
- competing in a shooting competition
- target shooting at an approved shooting club or range
- taking part in an historical re-enactment or display
- engaging in a business or scientific activity in a remote area where you need firearms to control animal predators
- taking part in a parade, pageant, or other similar event
- using firearms for movie, television, video, or theatrical productions, or publishing activities
If you are a non-resident minor, please see Note 3.
Moving to Canada
To have a firearm in Canada, you must have a PAL. A PAL allows you to get and have a specified class, or classes, of firearms. You must meet the firearms-safety training requirements before you apply for a PAL.
If you have any questions about visiting or moving to Canada, call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.
Fees
From RCMP website
Do licensing and registration requirements apply to crossbows?
Crossbows that you can aim and fire with one hand, and those with an overall length of 500 mm (about 19.68 inches) or less, are prohibited. You cannot lawfully have a prohibited crossbow. Under the Firearms Act, you do not need a licence or registration certificate to have other types of bows. This includes crossbows that are longer than 500 mm that need two hands to use.
Firearms safety
There are two courses for firearms safety.
- Non-restricted: Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) is an introductory course for anyone (including minors) who want to own non-restricted firearms.
- Restricted: Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) is an introductory course for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to own restricted firearms.
Exceptions
- You may be exempted from taking firearms safety training if you have owned a firearm continuously since January 1, 1979, and a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) believes that your knowledge of firearms laws and safe handling practices meets the national safety standards.
- If you passed the CFSC before February 1999 you have also passed the CRFSC by default. You can apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence without taking the course again.
Note
If a court has prohibited you from possessing firearms, you must wait until the prohibition order has expired to apply for a licence. Even if you had met the safety-training requirements prior to being prohibited, you must take the appropriate firearms safety courses after the prohibition order expires, and you must pass the written and practical tests. Then you can apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence.
From RCMP website