Transition Binder: Prohibition of Assault-Style Firearms Technical Briefing
Summary: New Regulations
Effective December 5, 2024:
Regulations amended to prohibit 104 families of assault-style firearms, encompassing 324 unique makes and models and their variants
An Amnesty Order is in place to protect existing owners from criminal liability while they come into compliance with the law
Affected firearms will have to be disposed of within the amnesty period
Numerous options are available
The Government will offer compensation to affected businesses and individuals
These firearms will be part of the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program
What is prohibited?
Revised classification Regulations are now in force
104 families, encompassing 324 unique makes and models, are newly prescribed by name as prohibited firearms
All current and future variants of these listed firearms are prohibited, whether or not they are named in the regulations
These firearms all have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical/military design with large magazine capacity)
Consistent with the technical characteristics applied in May 2020
The total number of restricted firearms affected is 14,521
What can owners do with newly prohibited firearms?
Prohibited firearms may not be bought, sold, lent or imported
These firearms may not be used for hunting or sport shooting, at a range or elsewhere
The Amnesty Order creates one exception to the prohibition on use:
A firearm that was previously non-restricted may still be transported and used for subsistence hunting or in exercise a right under section 35 of the Constitution
The firearms need to be kept safely and securely stored in accordance with their previous classification and may not be transported, except for disposal and storage in accordance with the Amnesty Order
One-time exception to transport the firearm to return home or to return the firearm to its owner, if it was not at the owner's home or in their possession at the time the prohibition came into force
Individuals currently outside of Canada with an affected firearm will be able to re-import the firearm and may be asked to provide proof, either by producing an export permit or an import permit from the country the individual was visiting
What does Amnesty Order do?
An Amnesty Order has been made to protect affected businesses and individuals from criminal liability for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm
This includes those who:
were in legal possession of a newly prohibited firearm at the time the Regulations came into force, and,
continue to hold a valid license during the amnesty period
The amnesty period provides time for those affected by the new prohibition to come into compliance with the law
Amnesty Order permits specific activities for impacted owners to dispose of the newly prohibited firearms
The Amnesty Order expires on October 30, 2025
How do owners comply with the new Prohibition?
Methods of disposal permitted under the Amnesty Order :
Deactivation by an approved business at any time within the amnesty period, with no compensation
Contacting a police detachment at any time within amnesty period, with no compensation (appointment required)
Exporting the firearm for sale outside of Canada if they have the proper export authorizations
If a business, returning the firearm to the manufacturer
Participating in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program
newly prohibited firearms will be incorporated
What happens next?
The Canadian Firearms Program will communicate with all firearms licence holders
The business phase of the Assault Style Firearms Compensation Program has begun, with a pilot having recently concluded, and all other businesses will be receiving instruction on how to participate
Compensation amounts for the newly prohibited firearms will be added later in January 2025
Information on how to participate in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program will be communicated to individual firearms owners later in 2025
The Government will continue to assess firearms that remain on the market
What other steps are being taken?
Bill C-21 was transformative, with most measures now in effect
Increased maximum penalties for smuggling and trafficking offences
New "red flag" laws, with new public legal education on Public Safety web site
National handgun freeze codified in statute
Newly designed Assault-Style Firearms (ASF) prohibited through the forward-looking technical definition
Repeal of the GIC's authority to downgrade the classification of firearms
New licence requirements in place as of September 1, 2024
The Government continues to take action to fully implement Bill C-21, with remaining measures to come into force early in the new year, including to:
address risks associated with firearms in situations of gender-based, intimate partner and family violence to be tabled on the first sitting day in January 2025
As part of its efforts to strengthen the classification regime, the Government intends to table regulations on December 13 to make sure that all makes and models of firearms are accounted for prior to entering the Canadian market