2024 Commissioner of Firearms Report

RCMP Canadian Firearms Program

Ottawa ON  K1A 0R2

1-800-731-4000 (toll free)
1-613-825-0315 (fax)

Website: Firearms

Email: cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Media Relations

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

1-613-843-5999

The year in numbers

Our vision

The Canadian Firearms Program strives to make Canada a safer place by offering exceptional services to clients and partners in a way that is modern, efficient and simple.

Working with partners

The program works with various domestic and international partners, including:

• Public Safety Canada by providing firearms-related policy support and technical information
• Canada Border Services Agency and Global Affairs Canada by providing technical guidance on firearms-related questions for international and cross-border issues
• Department of Justice and Public Safety Canada by supporting legal policy development in firearms-related law
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada by supporting on firearms legislation and related issues that are of particular interest to Indigenous Peoples
• municipal, provincial and territorial law enforcement agencies by providing support to law enforcement on investigations leading to prosecution of individuals involved in the smuggling, trafficking and criminal use of firearms
• international partners by working with law enforcement agencies from the United States and INTERPOL, to help reduce the illegal movement of firearms across borders and sharing of the Firearms Reference Table with 196 countries

Launch of more online application options

The Canadian Firearms Program has continued to modernize its services in 2024. The MyCFP portal was expanded over the course of the year to also permit applications for:

• first-time business licences
• first-time carrier licences
• approval of shooting ranges and clubs
• firearms safety course instructors
• firearm verifiers
• non-resident temporary borrowing licences

The Canadian Firearms Program encourages the use of our online methods of application, both to support the RCMP's Vision150 which focusses on providing the best service to communities while keeping Canadians safe and secure, but also with efficiency in mind.

Modernizing and digitizing program systems and processes to bring our services online decreases paper-based applications. This will reduce manual work and, ultimately, make applications quicker and easier to process. We also recently engaged in an exercise which tested our ability to keep our online systems running smoothly in the event of a natural or other disaster.

These features are in addition to the online services made available in 2023, allowing Canadians to apply online for an Authorization to Transport, a Possession and Acquisition Licence, and a Minor's Licence.

By 2026, our objective is to have most of the program's paper-based applications and existing online services migrated to the new online system.

MyCFP portal messaging

Two-way messaging between the Canadian Firearms Program contact centre agents and MyCFP portal clients was fully implemented in 2024 and is proving to be an effective means of communication, lowering the number of incoming emails and mail. It is a secure method for either party to quickly and securely seek information, such as the status of a licence application, request a quick change of information on an application, or confirm a missing piece of identification.

Secure two-way messaging with a client through the portal allows us to improve our client service by avoiding having to send what would have previously been a paper notification by mail.

In our first year using this new technology, we have successfully sent nearly 70,000 messages and received more than 25,000 messages from clients. This was particularly useful during the Canada Post labour disruption in 2024, which allowed us to continue to service clients while minimizing delays.

Release of the Report of the Desmond Fatality Inquiry

On January 31, 2024, the final report of the Desmond Fatality Inquiry was released. The report included 25 recommendations, including strengthening the application and licensing processes with regard to firearms.

The Canadian Firearms Program is committed to advancing the Inquiry's recommendations that fall within the scope of our authorities and continuing to improve our operations and public safety.

Additional elements of former Bill C-21 came into effect

On May 30, 2022, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-21 to strengthen gun control. It received Royal Assent on December 15, 2023. Several measures immediately came into effect and in 2024 additional elements of former Bill C-21 came into effect, including:

• new licensing and import requirements for certain firearm parts, for both individuals and businesses
• changes in the process for Authorization to Carry for personal protection, giving only the Commissioner of Firearms the authority to issue, refuse to issue, renew or revoke an Authorization to Carry for personal protection

The Canadian Firearms Program continues to support and provide information to firearms owners, businesses, Chief Firearms Officers, and police services about the legislative changes and what they mean for each of these groups.

Information about former Bill C-21 can be found at: publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/frrms/c21-en.aspx.

Disclosure of information

Former Bill C-21 amended section 88.1 of the Firearms Act to create a mechanism for the disclosure of specific licensing and registration information to law enforcement in specific cases. If the Commissioner of Firearms, the Registrar of Firearms or a Chief Firearms Officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an individual is using or has used a licence to transfer, or offer to transfer, a firearm for the purpose of weapons trafficking, they may disclose the information specified in the Firearms Act to a law enforcement agency.

Former Bill C-21 further amended subsection 93(1.1) of the Firearms Act to require that the annual report of the Commissioner of Firearms include information relating to any disclosures made under section 88.1.

This report covers the period of January 1 to December 31, 2024, during which the following disclosures of licensing and registration information were made to law enforcement under subsection 88.1 of the Firearms Act:

Disclosures of licensing and registration information to law enforcement in support of an investigation or prosecution under section 99(1) or 100(1) of the Criminal Code (January 1 - December 31, 2024):

• The Commissioner of Firearms: 0
• The Registrar of Firearms: 0
• Chief Firearms Officers: 169

Government announces a firearms prohibition

On December 5, 2024, the government announced a firearms prohibition and moved forward on further regulatory changes related to firearms.

The Firearms Reference Table, maintained by the Canadian Firearms Program, was updated to reflect the new classification of these firearms as prohibited.

Northern services review

In 2024, the Canadian Firearms Program held consultations in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon, which helped identify gaps and opportunities to improve our services.

Three distinct factors were identified for improvement:

• enhance the Canadian Firearms Program's footprint within northern communities
• increase frequency of delivery of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course in the North
• amplify our engagement and outreach efforts, with a focus on education

Feedback from the review provided strategic direction on long-term organizational change in working towards cultural competency and the promotion of firearm safety.

We are committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with Indigenous Peoples and working together on mutually agreed-upon priorities to improve community safety of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

New Deactivation Guidelines for firearms businesses

In order for a firearm to be considered deactivated by the Canadian Firearms Registry, a gunsmith certified in deactivation must confirm that it can no longer be considered a firearm as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code.

In November 2024, the Canadian Firearms Program sent updated Deactivation Guidelines to all firearms businesses that are authorized to provide deactivation services to address changes in technology. These guidelines replace any previous versions.

The program also invited businesses to provide feedback on draft Deactivation Checklists. The checklists were developed to assist gunsmiths in performing the modifications required to deactivate a firearm.

A list of businesses authorized to perform deactivations is available on our website.

New requirements for manufacturers and importers of firearms

The government tabled proposed regulations in both Houses of Parliament amending the Firearms Licence Regulations to require that businesses (domestic manufacturers of firearms, and importers of firearms) share technical information about a shipment or batch of firearms with the Registrar of Firearms, prior to the importation of its shipment or manufacture.

The government pre-published the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for public comment. Consultations with Canadians were undertaken as part of the Canada Gazette process, and businesses, individuals and stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback.

Overseeing firearms licensing and registration

Firearms licensing and registration are the Canadian Firearms Program's public-facing responsibility. These services allow for individual Canadians and businesses including manufacturers, retail stores and museums to apply for licences to possess, carry, buy, sell or display firearms or ammunition, and apply for registration certificates.

Chief Firearms Officers are responsible for overseeing certain aspects of the Firearms Act in their provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and have discretionary authority to:

• approve and refuse licensing applications for individuals and businesses
• approve and refuse Authorizations to Transport and certain Authorizations to Carry firearms
• approve shooting clubs and ranges
• conduct inspections of firearms businesses and shooting ranges
• monitor the continuous eligibility of firearms licensees
• revoke firearms licences, authorizations and approvals

Chief Firearms Officers are responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.

The Registrar of Firearms is responsible for overseeing certain aspects of the Firearms Act for all provinces and territories, and has authority to:

• approve and refuse registration and transfer applications for individuals and businesses
• approve and refuse carrier licence applications
• issue and refuse licence verification requests
• provide technical support for the verification of firearms
• issue, refuse and revoke designations for firearm verifiers
• verify the accuracy of firearms classification information
• process firearms description change requests
• process requests for deactivation, destruction, export and antique status
• issue Public Agency Identification Numbers
• process public agency firearm applications and inventories

As of December 31, 2024, Canada had:

• 2,412,122 valid Possession and Acquisition Licences and 13,505 valid Minor's Licences (Table 1)
• 1,269,076 registered firearms. Only restricted and prohibited firearms must be registered (Table 10)
• 4,033 licensed firearms businesses, not including museums and carriers. Of these, 1,647 businesses were licensed to sell only ammunition (Table 13)

The following tables include data on firearms licensing.

Table 1 provides a breakdown of individual firearms licences by type and province or territory in 2024.

Table 2 provides a breakdown of Possession and Acquisition Licences year over year, since 2020.

Table 3 provides a breakdown of the number of individual licences issued in 2024, including new licences and renewals.

Table 4 provides a breakdown of the number of Possession and Acquisition Licences (PAL) and Minor’s Licences by province or territory in 2024.

Firearms fall into one of three classes as defined in section 84(1) of the Criminal Code:

• Non-restricted firearms — typically shotguns and rifles
• Restricted firearms — predominantly handguns
• Prohibited firearms — certain handguns; fully automatic or converted automatic firearms; any firearm prescribed to be prohibited in regulation; and any semi-automatic firearm (other than a handgun) that discharges centre-fire ammunition, was originally designed with a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity of six or more cartridges, and that was designed and manufactured on or after December 15, 2023

In 2024, there were:

• 1,598,112 Possession and Acquisition Licences with non-restricted privileges
• 775,266 with restricted privileges
• 38,739 with prohibited privileges

Table 5 provides a breakdown of the number of Possession and Acquisition Licence privileges in 2024 by province or territory.

In 2024, there were 1,469 firearms licence applications refused for various public safety reasons (Tables 6 and 7). Under the Firearms Act, Chief Firearms Officers are authorized to refuse an application for a firearms licence based on their assessment of the applicant's risk to public safety.

Table 6 provides a breakdown of the number of firearms licence application refusals from 2020 to 2024.

As part of the Canadian Firearms Program's mandate to promote public safety, firearms licence applicants are screened to assess their eligibility to possess a firearms licence. After a firearms licence is issued, continuous eligibility screening is conducted over the term of the licence. Information of concern that is brought to the attention of a Chief Firearms Officer may bring into question an individual's eligibility to hold a licence. That individual's licence might then be subject to review.

Table 7 provides a breakdown of reasons for firearms licence application refusals in 2024.

Under the Firearms Act, Chief Firearms Officers are authorized to revoke a firearms licence based on their assessment of the licence holder's risk to public safety. In 2024, there were 4,318 firearms licences revoked (Tables 8 and 9).

Similar to licence application refusals, an individual may challenge a licence revocation by applying to a provincial court for a reference hearing, unless the revocation is the result of a court-ordered firearms prohibition. As a result, some of these revocations may have been referred to or overturned by the courts since the initial revocation.

Table 8 provides a breakdown of the number of firearms licence revocations from 2020 to 2024.

Table 9 provides a breakdown of the reasons for firearms licence revocations in 2024.

All restricted and prohibited firearms in Canada possessed by individuals and businesses must be registered. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,269,076 restricted or prohibited firearms registered to individuals and businesses in Canada (Tables 10 and 11).

Table 10 provides a breakdown of the number of firearms registered to individuals or businesses by class from 2020 to 2024.

Table 11 provides a breakdown of the number of firearms registered to individuals and businesses in Canada by class and province or territory in 2024.

The Registrar of Firearms has the authority to refuse firearm registration applications and revoke registration certificates based on a failure to meet the eligibility criteria under the Firearms Act.

In 2024, one firearm registration application was refused, and 7,658 firearm registration certificates were revoked (Table 12).

Table 12 provides a breakdown of the number of registration refusals and revocations from 2020 to 2024.

Under the Firearms Act, firearms licence holders are responsible for renewing their licences prior to expiry. The Canadian Firearms Program facilitates this process by sending renewal notices to licencees prior to the expiry of their current licence.

A total of 428,015 individual Possession and Acquisition Licences expired in 2024 (Chart 1).

Of the expired licences, 68,620 had restricted or prohibited firearms associated to the licence. A total of 64,370 licences were renewed (Chart 2).

Chart 1 provides a breakdown of the number of firearms licence renewals from 2020 to 2024.

Under section 89 of the Firearms Act, every court, judge, or justice that makes, varies, or revokes a firearms prohibition order must notify the Chief Firearms Officer in their jurisdiction.

Chief Firearms Officers are responsible for screening firearms licence applications. This includes checking whether an applicant is subject to a prohibition order. A prohibition order prevents an individual from legally possessing a firearm for a specified period of time and results in the refusal of a firearms licence application or the revocation of a firearms licence.

As of December 31, 2024, there were 529,916 individuals prohibited from possessing firearms (Chart 3).

Chart 3 provides a breakdown of the number of individuals prohibited from possessing firearms from 2020 to 2024.

Reporting on former Bill C-71

Former Bill C-71 received Royal Assent in 2019 and updated several aspects of firearms legislation.

Beginning in 2022, individuals and businesses that wish to transfer a non-restricted firearm are required to first obtain a reference number from the Registrar of Firearms. By issuing this reference number, the Registrar is confirming the validity of the firearms licence of the person receiving the firearm (a reference number may be obtained through the Canadian Firearms Program's Individual Web Services and Business Web Services portals). The Registrar does not collect any information on the non-restricted firearm being transferred.

Table 13 provides a breakdown of the number of licence verifications in 2024.

Beginning in 2022, licensed owners of registered firearms must apply to a Chief Firearms Officer for an Authorization to Transport a restricted or prohibited firearm to any place other than to an approved shooting club or shooting range within the owner's province of residence, or to the firearm's place of storage after purchase.

From January 1 to December 31, 2024, there were 29,711 Authorizations to Transport issued to licence holders for a variety of reasons.

Table 14 provides a breakdown of the number of Authorizations to Transport issued in 2024.

Maintaining national firearm safety training standards

The Canadian Firearms Program supports the safe and responsible use of firearms in Canada.

To be licensed to acquire firearms in Canada, individuals must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before applying for a Possession and Acquisition Licence. The Canadian Firearms Safety Course is an introductory course intended for all new firearms users.

The course emphasizes safe storage, display, transportation, handling and use of firearms, but safety depends on more than just safe physical actions. Safe handling must include knowledge of the firearms themselves, ammunition, and the laws and regulations related to them.

Individuals that wish to acquire restricted firearms must also pass the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.

The Canadian Firearms Program is responsible for the continued development, implementation, and evaluation of national firearms safety standards, and the content of the Canadian Firearms safety courses. Feedback on courses is received regularly as part of our ongoing interest in hearing from firearms safety instructors from across Canada.

In 2024, the program initiated a review to update the content of the safety courses to improve overall content and diversity and inclusion, emphasize the importance of mental health, and better align with new legislative elements. We expect to launch the new content in 2025.

The Canadian Firearms Program remains committed to developing additional tools to promote national consistency and better support Chief Firearms Officers with decision-making on client eligibility to hold a firearms licence, specifically when it comes to mental health-related investigations and their assessment of an individual's eligibility to obtain or hold a firearms licence when mental health is a consideration.

Promoting compliance by firearms businesses

Businesses form an important part of the Canadian Firearms Program's client base. A business, museum or organization that manufactures, sells, possesses, handles, displays, or stores firearms or ammunition must possess a valid firearms business licence. Employees that handle firearms for these businesses must also possess valid Possession and Acquisition Licences for the class of firearms being handled, and be listed as employees on the business licence.

All restricted and prohibited firearms in a business inventory must be registered. Periodic business inspections are performed to verify safe and lawful business practices, including firearms storage and display.

In 2024, there were 4,033 firearms businesses in Canada licensed under the Firearms Act (Table 13), not including museums and firearms carriers.

Table 15 provides a breakdown of the number of valid firearms business licences in Canada from 2020 to 2024.

Shooting range facilities and clubs

Chief Firearms Officers are responsible for the approval of shooting range facilities and clubs within their jurisdictions, to ensure safe operation and compliance with the Firearms Act. Within a range facility, each firing range needs to be approved by a Chief Firearms Officer for the activities that occur within it.

As of December 31, 2024, there were 935 range facilities and 760 shooting clubs in Canada. A range facility may contain one or more ranges (lines of fire).

Table 16 provides a breakdown of the number of range facilities and shooting clubs by province or territory in 2024.

National Weapons Enforcement Support Team

The National Weapons Enforcement Support Team offers direct support to law enforcement investigators on all aspects of firearms investigations and prosecutions. It provides expert opinion evidence to the court and support to Crown attorneys on firearms law and its application.

The team partners with the Canada Border Services Agency to support investigations of illegal firearms entering Canada through border crossings.

In 2024, the team responded to more than 9,800 service calls from Canadian and international law enforcement agencies, regulatory partners or Crown attorneys, which represents a 155% increase in calls since additional funding was received in 2019 under the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence as part of the government's Gang Violence Prevention and Intervention Investments.

The team also delivered more than 270 training sessions across Canada, training 7,059 individuals. This was almost a 100% increase in participants and training sessions since 2019. This advanced training for front-line law enforcement and Crown attorneys directly supports public safety.

Crown Attorney Program

The Crown Attorney Program is a joint endeavour between the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General and the Canadian Firearms Program's Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services Directorate.

The Crown Attorney Program seeks to enhance prosecutorial outcomes of firearms-related offences through education, coordination and networking. The program was established to bolster the relationship between prosecutors and law enforcement in the investigation, review, and prosecution of firearm-related matters.

A national committee of firearms prosecutors has been established from each province, which sees discussions about trends, education, and the overall sharing of best practices on firearms-related matters. In 2024, representatives from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada joined the committee, as well as members from each of the territories. Another development in 2024 was the creation of a subcommittee to explicitly address the growing trend of privately-manufactured firearms, providing guidance for police officers and members of the broader committee.

Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre

The Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre assists front-line policing by providing an extensive firearms tracing service for Canadian, American and international law enforcement agencies, and is the only national program that traces firearms domestically and internationally.

For all trace requests, the centre investigates the history of a firearm, from its manufacture or introduction into the market by the importer through the distribution chain (wholesalers and retailers) to identify the last known owner or business.

The centre also liaises with various international law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and INTERPOL's Integrated Weapons and Explosives Tracking System.

Firearm tracing provides strategic benefits in the form of the following:

• linking criminal use of firearms to specific vendors, identifying trafficking routes and patterns
• providing linkages between a suspect and a firearm
• flagging potential firearms traffickers
• helping identify local, provincial and international firearms crime patterns
• producing invaluable investigative leads
• providing law enforcement decision makers and government officials with accurate statistical data

On request, the centre can provide training to front-line police officers and specialized enforcement units on the strategic and tactical benefits of firearms tracing and how it helps to solve crime.

In 2024, the data demonstrates that investments in the Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre resulted in the origins of more firearms being traced, which directly supports trafficking, smuggling, and other firearms crime investigations.

In 2024, the centre completed 7,049 traces, of which 4,238 were identified as crime guns.

Chart 4 provides a breakdown of number of firearms traced from 2020 to 2024.

Criminal Firearms Strategic and Operational Support Services

The Criminal Firearms Strategic and Operational Support Services section contributes to combatting the illicit use of firearms including:

• by providing strategic analysis reports, research and data on the current firearms landscape in Canada
• by collaborating with the Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre to implement reporting and analysis tools that contribute to identifying and reporting on the sources of seized firearms
• by supporting RCMP partners to pursue projects that contribute to the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence

Specialized Firearms Support Services

The Canadian Firearms Program's Specialized Firearms Support Services unit is a technical centre of expertise with a mandate to provide service and support to a broad range of domestic and international clients.

The unit's services include the identification and classification of firearms and related devices, the provision of technical training to clients on firearms and firearms-related devices, and the tracking of global trends in firearms. Its work includes:

• overall management and maintenance of the Firearms Reference Table
• digital photography of firearms and firearms-related devices
• delivery of training to law enforcement partners and stakeholders on identification and classification of firearms and related devices, the Firearms Reference Table, and emerging trends
• firearm inspections and production of reports and affidavits
• support for reference hearings and court proceedings
• maintenance of the national firearms collection
• firearm identification and other technical support for domestic and international law enforcement agencies and government departments

The unit manages and maintains the Firearms Reference Table which represents a global centre of expertise for the identification and description of firearms in Canada.

The Firearms Reference Table is a comprehensive, single-source reference tool that helps identify and describe firearms. It contains more than 208,000 individual records and is used by domestic and international law enforcement agencies, including 196 INTERPOL member countries. In 2024, 2,762 new records were added and 777 records were updated. A version of the table is also available to the public in Portable Document Format. The table is an administrative document tool, not a legal instrument.

The unit maintains the table by conducting technical assessments of firearms based on firearm classifications set out in the Criminal Code and supporting regulations.

Also in 2024, the unit received 8,198 email inquiries and continued its ongoing role of developing and delivering firearm courses to various law enforcement partners across Canada, and providing in-class sessions and workshops for RCMP members. More than 1,300 individuals received specialized firearms training in 2024.

Firearms Internet Investigations Support Unit

The Firearms Internet Investigations Support Unit conducts open-source internet investigations to assist Chief Firearms Officers with assessing the eligibility for an individual to hold a firearms licence.

The unit also supports law enforcement agencies at the municipal, regional, provincial, territorial, federal and international levels to assist in ongoing law enforcement firearms investigations.

In 2024, the unit conducted open-source, internet investigations in response to:

• 141 requests from Chief Firearms Officers and other regulatory authorities
• 75 requests from law enforcement

Integrated Firearms Working Groups Conference

In February 2025, the Canadian Firearms Program will collaborate with Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General to deliver a national Integrated Firearms Working Groups Conference.

This interdisciplinary intensive educational program will feature presentations from law enforcement and Crown attorneys from across Canada, and international partners. It will provide specialized training for law enforcement officers and attorneys relating to the challenges associated with the multi-faceted nature of gun trafficking and importation, and effective investigative and trial strategies.

Survey of Canadian policing partners

In 2025, the Canadian Firearms Program will engage municipal, provincial and federal policing units across Canada for their feedback about the services offered by the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team. Results from this survey will inform improvements to the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team services to benefit all front-line policing agencies.

Firearms safety in the North

Building on the recent Northern services review, and working with territorial governments and Chief Firearms Officers, in 2025, the program will better promote Canadian Firearms Program funding available to Indigenous and northern communities to enhance firearms and public safety in the North.

Former Bill C-21

In 2025, the Canadian Firearms Program will be ready to implement the remaining elements of the former Bill C-21 that the Government of Canada has signaled it intends to bring into effect:

• enabling Chief Firearms Officers to suspend a firearms licence for up to 30 days when they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the holder may no longer be eligible to hold the licence
• requiring Chief Firearms Officers to automatically revoke a licence within 24 hours if the holder becomes subject to a Protection Order (to be defined in regulations)
• requiring Chief Firearms Officers to automatically revoke a licence within 24 hours if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that an individual may have engaged in an act of domestic violence or stalking
• requiring Chief Firearms Officers to refuse a licence application when an individual has been convicted of an offence where violence was used, threatened, or attempted against their intimate partner or any member of their family

Continued modernization of client services

The program's modernization agenda will continue in 2025 by launching new services in the MyCFP portal, creating the ability for complete end-to-end processing of firearms business licences and carrier licences, including:

• application processing
• renewals
• inspections and compliance management
• continuous eligibility
• client self-service features

Refinements to existing services are also being made in the MyCFP portal, based on user feedback.

By 2026, the objective is to have most paper-based applications and existing program online services migrated to the MyCFP portal.