Frequently asked questions

The FAQs are meant to provide Canadians and businesses with information about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) key regulations. The Regulations listed below are the most frequently accessed via our Acts and Regulations web page. Policies and programs related to these Regulations are directly managed by the RCMP CFP.

Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations govern the manner in which all firearms, including non-restricted, restricted, prohibited, and other regulated weapons, in the possession of individuals, must be safely stored, displayed, transported, and handled.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the safe storage, display, transportation, and handling of all classes of firearms and other regulated items.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations apply to individuals. The storage, display, and transportation of firearms affecting Canadian businesses are regulated by the Storage, Display and Transportation of Firearms and Other Weapons by Businesses Regulations.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Storage, Display and Transportation of Firearms and Other Weapons by Businesses Regulations (SOR/98-210)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Storage, Display and Transportation of Firearms and Other Weapons by Businesses Regulations govern the manner in which all firearms including non-restricted, restricted, prohibited, and other regulated weapons, in the possession of businesses, must be safely stored, displayed, and transported.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the safe storage, display, and transportation of all classes of firearms.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
Canadian firearms businesses must store, display and transport firearms and other weapons in accordance with these regulations.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations (SOR/98-212)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations apply to shooting clubs and shooting ranges open to the public, and provide for a general safety requirement regarding their standards of design and operation.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the request for approval of shooting clubs and shooting ranges; compliance with safety standards such as safety training and insurance; reports and records including: personal injury reports, change reports and recordkeeping; and provision of reports on the participation of members and guests in target practice or target shooting competitions.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations affect Canadian firearms businesses that operate a shooting range whose premises are open to the public.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Firearms Licences Regulations (SOR/98-199)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Firearms Licences Regulations establish the eligibility requirements and procedures for individuals to obtain licences to possess and/or acquire firearms. In addition, these regulations deal with the manner in which firearms licences are issued to businesses, including museums and businesses that wish to possess prohibited firearms and other regulated weapons for a prescribed purpose.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
In relation to individuals, the key elements of these regulations are: application and approval of licences to possess and/or acquire firearms, renewal of licences, minors' licences, and non-residents' 60-day possession licences for non-restricted firearms.

In relation to businesses, the key elements of these regulations are: the eligibility requirements for businesses, including museums applying for licences to possess firearms; renewal of licences; and the prescribed purposes for which businesses may be authorized to possess prohibited firearms, prohibited weapons, prohibited devices, or prohibited ammunition.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
Canadian businesses wishing to possess firearms for any activity are required to obtain a firearms licence.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Public Agents Firearms Regulations (SOR/98-203)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Public Agents Firearms Regulations apply to public agents and individuals who are employed by public service agencies and who possess firearms in the course of their duties or employment.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: ensuring the safe storage of public service agency firearms; training of public agents; issuing public agency identification numbers; recording of agency and protected firearms inventory; and reporting of required information to the Registrar of Firearms.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations apply only to public service agencies and have no impact on Canadian businesses.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
Some of these regulations came into force on December 1, 1998. Sections 8 to 10.2 and 12 to 16 came into force on October 31, 2008. These are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Authorizations to Carry Restricted Firearms and Certain Handguns Regulations (SOR/98-207)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Authorizations to Carry Restricted Firearms and Certain Handguns Regulations apply to individuals who require a restricted or prohibited handgun for the protection of life or lawful profession or occupation.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the circumstances for which an individual needs to carry a restricted firearm or prohibited handgun; safety training; conditions on the authorization; and renewal or revocation of an authorization.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations would only apply to businesses whose principle activity is the handling, transportation, or protection of cash, negotiable instruments, or other goods of substantial value.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) (SOR/98-205)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) apply to Aboriginal persons who engage in the traditional hunting practices of their Aboriginal community, and adapt certain provisions of the Firearms Act for the purposes of making an application for a firearms licence while maintaining all safety requirements under the Act.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the manner in which licence applications may be made; licence eligibility determinations; minors' licences; alternative safety certification; and transfer of treaty ammunition.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations apply to Aboriginal individuals and have no impact on Canadian businesses.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Firearms Information Regulations (Non-restricted Firearms) (SOR/2012-138)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Firearms Information Regulations apply to non-restricted firearms and stipulate that a person cannot be required, as a condition of a licence, to collect information with respect to the transfer of a non-restricted firearm; if they collect such information, to keep a record of it; or, if they keep such a record, to keep it in a form that combines information that identifies the transferee with information that identifies an individual firearm, links such information, or enables such information to be combined or linked.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key element of these regulations is a person cannot be required, as a condition of their firearms licence, to collect or keep information pertaining to the transfer of non-restricted firearms.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations apply to Canadian businesses that sell or transfer non-restricted firearms.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on June 29, 2012, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Authorizations to Transport Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms Regulations (SOR/98-206)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Authorizations to Transport Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms Regulations provide for the manner in which Authorizations To Transport (ATTs) may be issued to individuals who wish to transport their restricted and prohibited firearms.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the manner in which an ATT is to be issued; information to be provided at the time of application; and, the renewal of an ATT.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations apply only to individuals and have no impact on Canadian businesses.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Conditions of Transferring Firearms and Other Weapons Regulations (SOR/98-202)

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
The Conditions of Transferring Firearms and Other Weapons Regulations set out the process for obtaining approval for the transfer of a prohibited or restricted firearm and transfers of prohibited weapons, restricted weapons, prohibited devices, ammunition, and prohibited ammunition to Her Majesty in Right of Canada or a province.
2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
The key elements of these regulations are: the conditions and requirements for transferring a prohibited or restricted firearm; transfers of prohibited weapons, restricted weapons, prohibited devices, ammunition, and prohibited ammunition to Her Majesty in Right of Canada or a province, a Police Force or a Municipality; and, transfers by mail.
3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
These regulations apply toCanadian businesses that transfer prohibited or restricted firearms.
4. What is the timeline for implementation?
These regulations came into force on December 1, 1998, and are amended as required.
5. Where can I get more information?
More information can be obtained by contacting cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Top of page
Date modified: