Former Bill C-21: Keeping Canadians safe from gun crime

An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms) (former Bill C-21) is part of the Government of Canada's comprehensive plan to strengthen gun control in Canada and keep Canadians safe from gun violence.

What former Bill C-21 is and what it means

Former Bill C-21 received Royal Assent on December 15, 2023. It includes a range of measures to combat gun crime, codifying the national handgun freeze into law, prohibiting new makes and models of certain firearms, increasing penalties for firearms smuggling and trafficking, and adding new offences to address ghost guns. It also includes new harm reduction measures, including " red flag" laws and expanded licence revocation and ineligibility provisions to help address the role of firearms in domestic, intimate partner and gender-based violence and self-harm.

Most measures are now in effect, except as noted below where implementation is ongoing.

A national freeze on handguns

A national freeze on the sale, purchase or transfer of handguns by individuals within Canada, and on bringing newly acquired handguns into Canada came into force on October 21, 2022. It has since been codified through former Bill C-21.

Individuals can no longer acquire handguns in Canada except in specific cases, including:

Individuals with an Authorization to Carry for lawful profession or occupation, or for protection of life
Individuals training, competing, or coaching in a handgun shooting discipline that is on the program of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee

The freeze did not change the classification of handguns. Licensed owners can continue to possess and use their registered handguns for target shooting and collection.

What the freeze means for businesses

Authorized retailers who meet proper storage requirements can continue to import and sell handguns to other businesses (e.g., gunsmiths, museums, valuable goods carriers, retailers, film, and theatrical industry), and to law enforcement, defence personnel and exempted individuals.

Importers should consult Notice to Importers No. 1106 – Importation of restricted handguns into Canada. This notice, issued December 15, 2023, outlines the policies and practices pertaining to the importation of restricted handguns into Canada, following the coming into force of the former Bill C-21.

Firearms classification

Former Bill C-21 amended the definition of "prohibited firearm" in the Criminal Code to add a new category. Firearms designed and manufactured on or after December 15, 2023, and that meet the following technical criteria are prohibited:
A firearm that:

is not a handgun
discharges centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner; and
was originally designed with a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity of six cartridges or more.

Any "unlawfully manufactured firearm" (e.g. ghost guns) is now a prohibited firearm. Manufacturing firearms without a licence to manufacture issued under the Firearms Act is illegal and individuals can be charged with a criminal offence.

Border security and law enforcement

To combat firearms trafficking and smuggling, and strengthen law enforcement capacity to investigate and prevent firearms violence, former Bill C-21 :

Increased the maximum penalty for certain offences, including firearms trafficking, smuggling and the illegal manufacture of firearms from 10 to 14 years imprisonment.
Created a new offence for altering a cartridge magazine to exceed its lawful capacity.
Expanded the number of firearms offences that are eligible for wiretapping.
Allows the sharing of certain firearms licence information with law enforcement across Canada to support investigations.
Strengthened enforcement of firearms offences directly at the border by authorizing Canada Border Services Officers to stop foreign nationals from entering Canada if they have committed certain offences at the border, such as smuggling.
Created a new statutory offence under the Firearms Act against businesses that promote or depict violence against a person in advertising a firearm.

Ghost guns and licence requirements

Addressing ghost guns

Former Bill C-21 implemented a number of measures to help address the risk posed by illegally manufactured firearms (e.g., ghost guns).

It is now an offence to possess or distribute computer data for use in a 3D printer or other system for the purpose of illegal manufacturing or trafficking a firearm or prohibited device.

Firearms parts are now defined in the Criminal Code as firearm barrels and handgun slides.

As of September 1, 2024, firearms parts may only be transferred to or imported by an individual with a valid firearms licence.
A range of firearms offences in the Criminal Code now include firearms parts, such as: importing without a firearms licence, unauthorized import of a firearm part, manufacturing firearm parts without a licence to do so and transferring a firearm part to a person without a firearms licence.

Licence requirements

As of December 15, 2023, a cartridge magazine may only be transferred (bought, sold, or given) to a person if they hold a valid firearms licence. As of September 1, 2024, ammunition (other than prohibited ammunition) cartridge magazines and firearms parts (firearm barrel or handgun slide) may only be transferred to an individual if they hold a valid firearm licence. In addition, individuals need a valid firearms licence to import ammunition, cartridge magazines or firearm parts (firearm barrels and handgun slides).

Harm reduction measures (including "red flag" laws)

The Government is committed to addressing instances of self-harm and domestic, gender-based and intimate partner violence involving firearms.

Emergency Prohibition Orders and Emergency Limitations on Access Orders ("red flag" laws)

Adding to the protective tools already available, former Bill C-21 amended the Criminal Code to create a new emergency prohibition order and emergency limitations on access order, also known as "red flag" laws. These new orders will help address situations where an individual poses a safety risk to themselves or others, including people at risk of suicide, and perpetrators of domestic, intimate partner and gender-based violence.

Anyone may apply to a court for:

An emergency prohibition order to remove firearms, for up to 30 days, from someone who may be a danger to themselves or others. Hearings can be set to consider a longer-term prohibition up to 5 years.
An emergency limitations on access order to set rules for another person's possession or use of firearms if there is a risk that their firearms could be accessed by someone who is already under a prohibition order.

The application is ex parte, meaning it is made without the knowledge of the person against whom the order is sought, and the hearing is held without the person present. The hearings may also be private. A judge may also seal court documents or remove any information that might identify the person applying.

Public Safety Canada has developed a program to provide more information to victims and supporting organizations on the "red flag" laws. It focuses on reaching vulnerable and marginalized groups to ensure these tools are accessible — particularly those who may need them the most.

For more information see "Red Flag" Laws and Preventing Firearm-related Harm.

Red flag laws do not replace existing actions, such as calling 911 in urgent and life-threatening situations. Law enforcement officers continue to have an essential role in preventing and intervening where there is a risk of firearm violence.

Expanded licence revocation provisions and licence ineligibility

Former Bill C-21 created new mandatory licence refusal and revocation requirements which came into force on April 4, 2025.

A firearms licence will not be issued to anyone who has been convicted of an offence involving the threat or use of violence against an intimate partner or family member on or after April 4, 2025.

A firearms licence must be revoked if a Chief Firearms Officer has reasonable grounds to suspect the licence holder may have engaged in an act of domestic violence or stalking. All firearms must be delivered to a peace officer and remain there for the duration of any legal challenge of a licence revocation.

In both of these situations, a Chief Firearms Officer can issue a licence if the individual demonstrates they need a firearm to hunt or trap to sustain themselves or their families. Chief Firearms Officers can attach any term or condition to the licence to ensure public safety.

Authorities that require the refusal or that revoke a firearms licence when an individual is subject to a protection order are not yet in operation. Regulations are needed. The Government has proposed amendments to the Firearms Licences Regulations to define the terms "protection order" and "competent authority". The proposed amendments also outline factors to support decision-making by Chief Firearms Officers on the issuance of a licence with conditions.

Temporary Storage

A licenced firearms owner is authorized to temporarily store their firearm(s) with an appropriately licenced individual or business if time is needed to address a mental illness or similar problem.

Temporary licence suspension ("yellow flag" law)

Former Bill C-21 introduced a temporary licence suspension regime under the Firearms Act. This law took effect on March 7, 2025 and is also known as the "yellow flag" law.

A Chief Firearms Officer must temporarily suspend an individual's licence for up to 30 days when they have reasonable grounds to suspect the person is no longer eligible to hold a firearms licence (e.g., suspected of illegally reselling firearms).
During the temporary suspension period the licence holder will be allowed to keep their firearm(s), but will not be allowed to use, acquire, or import firearms. If the licence holder does not follow these restrictions their licence can be revoked.
The licence holder's use, acquisition and import privileges will be reinstated once the suspension period has elapsed or earlier if the Chief Firearms Officer is satisfied that the reasons for suspension no longer exist.

Any member of the public may contact a Chief Firearms Officer with information about a licence holder if there are concerns related to eligibility or public safety. In an urgent or life-threatening situation, always contact 911.

Funding to address gun violence

The Government of Canada continues to invest in initiatives to help address the root causes and ongoing impacts of gun violence.

The Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence provides funding to the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provinces, territories, and law enforcement to combat gun and gang crime. To support community-led initiatives, the Building Safer Communities Fund helps to educate youth and put an end to gun and gang violence before it starts.

Date modified:: 2025-08-13

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