Transfers of handguns to individuals have been permanently banned and other significant gun control measures became law in Canada on December 15, 2023. In this post, we will survey some of the most significant changes in Canadian firearm laws enacted by Bill C-21.
Canadian firearm owners, dealers, and importers, exporters to Canada in the United States and elsewhere, and others with an interest in Canadian firearm laws, should educate themselves about the new changes quickly to avoid mistakes.
The Canadian Senate passed Bill C-21 on Thursday, December 14, 2023, and the new law took effect on December 15, after receiving Royal Assent. For those who have followed this legislation, Bill C-21 as adopted by the Senate is unchanged from the bill that passed the House of Commons in May 2023.
Bill C-21 as a whole took effect on December 15, 2023, but the effective dates of some portions will not occur until a date specified by order of the Governor in Council. (See the helpful table of effective dates at the bottom of this page.)
The new law sets Canada apart from Europe, Australia, and many other countries that strictly regulate access to handguns but do not totally prohibit individuals from buying them.
The regulatory freeze on the sale, purchase and transfer of handguns by individuals in Canada that took effect on October 21, 2022, is now permanent. Exceptions are very limited. As a practical matter, sport shooters, hunters and most other licensed firearm owners in Canada are now permanently barred from obtaining new handguns or transferring handguns to other individuals.
The way this comes about is a new prohibition against the issuance of registration certificates for handguns to individuals. (Bill C-21, Section 17). As restricted firearms, handguns that are transferred must be registered (Firearms Act, Section 23.2). Now there is no way for transfers to individuals to be registered.
“Semi-automatic” rifles “designed and manufactured” after a date to be specified order of the Governor in Council will become “prohibited firearms”. This has been accomplished by a new category of “prohibited firearm” and a new definition of “semi-automatic” firearm.
In addition to rifles previously banned, “prohibited firearms” now include:
“(e) a firearm that is not a handgun and that
(i) discharges centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,
(ii) was originally designed with a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity of six cartridges or more, and
(iii) is designed and manufactured on or after the day on which this paragraph comes into force”.
“Semi-automatic” is defined as:
“a firearm that is equipped with a mechanism that, following the discharge of a cartridge, automatically operates to complete any part of the reloading cycle necessary to prepare for the discharge of the next cartridge”.
Anyone (not just a dealer) who sells or “transfers” barrels, magazines, or pistol slides to an individual must now see the transferee’s possession and acquisition license (PAL) before completing the transaction. The PAL must be valid and unexpired, of course. (Bill C-21, Section 21).
Canadian resident individuals are now permitted to import ammunition and magazines (other than prohibited ammunition and magazines) only if they have a PAL and “produce the [PAL] to a customs officer”. The same rule now applies to barrels and slides, too. (Bill C-21, Section 26).
About EasyExport
American companies in the firearms industry and their international partners use EasyExport’s platform to do business conveniently and in compliance with all applicable export, import, and other regulations. EasyExport clients include Volquartsen Firearms, Ranger Point Precision, Tandemkross, XS Sights, Griffin Armament, and other respected brands.
Since March 2020, EasyExport clients have grown international revenues and extended the reach of their brands by sending nearly 7,000 shipments to vetted and approved dealers, importers, and firearm owners in over 40 countries.
American Manufacturers and Resellers -- Learn how you can safely drive your company’s international revenue growth by visiting the American Seller page of our website and downloading our ebook: The Five Steps to Maximizing Your International Sales with EasyExport.
Dealers, Importers, Ranges and Other Businesses Outside the USA – Expand your customer base with popular American products from EasyExport sellers that aren’t widely available in your country. Learn more by visiting our page for dealers and other businesses outside the USA and downloading our guide: How to Buy from American Sellers – 5 Steps for Transforming Your Gun Shop. Then register with EasyExport for free to start connecting with EasyExport sellers.
Lawful Firearm Owners Outside the USA – Shop conveniently at EasyExport sellers for the parts and accessories that will take your enjoyment of shooting to the next level. Affordable prices. No hassle. To get started, visit our page for gun owners outside the USA, download our publication: The Guide to Buying American Firearm Parts and Accessories, and register with EasyExport for free to start shopping today.
For a real-time update on evolving laws and regulations affecting the international firearms trade, or just to say hello, please visit us at Booth 42721 at SHOT Show or in the USA Pavilion at IWA 2024.