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Buying and selling (transferring) firearms

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General information

In Canada, a firearm may only be transferred to

  • an adult (18 or older) with a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) that is valid for that class of firearm;
  • a business, museum, or other organization with a firearms business licence; or
  • a public service agency (for example, a police force, a police academy or certain government departments or agencies).

Authorized businesses with proper storage, including auctioneers that sell firearms, need to have a business firearms licence valid for all types of firearms (non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited) they sell.

If you are an executor of an estate with firearms, or an heir/beneficiary of a firearm, please see the Transfer of firearms from estates page.

Transferring a firearm

Non-restricted Firearms

You do not need to register non-restricted firearms. However, before transferring a non-restricted firearm, the transferor (seller) must obtain confirmation from the Registrar of Firearms that the transferee (buyer) holds, and is still eligible to hold, a firearms licence authorizing that person to acquire a non-restricted firearm. This is done by requesting a reference number.

The transfer of a non-restricted firearm may take place only after a reference number has been issued. The reference number is valid for a period of ninety (90) days or for the remaining period of validity of the transferee's (buyer's) licence. If a reference number expires before the physical transfer of the firearm, a new reference number must be requested.

How to request a reference number

  1. Online: A request for a reference number can be initiated online by the transferor (seller) through the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portals.
    1. The transferor (seller) must provide the following information:
      1. the transferee's (buyer's) licence number, date of birth, and email address; and
      2. a declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request. This is done:
        • For in-person transfers, by comparing the photograph on the firearms licence with the person presenting the licence; or,
        • For transfers that do not take place in-person, by the above method (for exemple, by engaging in a video call), or, if a visual comparison is not possible, by asking the buyer to provide a second piece of photo identification that has been issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government.
    2. If a reference number can be issued, both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will receive a message in the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portal message centre. In addition, the reference number and expiry date will appear on the screen moments after the completed request is submitted.
    3. If a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) to obtain more information. In addition, a message will be sent to both the transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) through the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portal message centre identifying that the reference number could not be issued.
  2. By telephone: A request for a reference number can be initiated by contacting the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.
    1. After identifying themselves and providing their own licence number, the transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the Canadian Firearms Program:
      1. the transferee's (buyer's) licence number, date of birth, and email address; and,
      2. a declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request. This is done:
        • For in-person transfers, by comparing the photograph on the firearms licence with the person presenting the licence; or,
        • For transfers that do not take place in-person, by the above method (for example, by engaging in a video call), or, if a visual comparison is not possible, by asking the buyer to provide a second piece of photo identification that has been issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government.
    2. If a reference number can be issued, both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, according to their preference.
    3. If a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.

Restricted and Prohibited Firearms (for handguns, see below)

Registration: All restricted and prohibited firearms must be registered. When a restricted or prohibited firearm is sold, given or traded to a new owner, the registration record must be updated to reflect this transfer, and a new registration certificate must be issued to the new owner. This happens as part of the transfer process.

  1. Telephone: An application to transfer a restricted or prohibited firearm can be initiated by contacting the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.

    The CFP must speak with both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) for the transfer of restricted and prohibited firearms. However, both parties do not need to be available at the same time. Follow the steps below.

    1. The following information must be provided to the CFP:
      1. if you are an individual transferor (seller) you will need to provide your full name, address and firearms licence number, and the transferee's (buyer's) full name and PAL number
      2. if you are a business transferor (seller) you will need to provide your business licence and business identification number, and the transferee's (buyer's) full name, address and firearms licence number
      3. if you are an individual transferee (buyer) you will need to provide your firearms licence number, full name and address, and the transferor's (seller's) full name and firearms licence number
      4. if you are a business transferee (buyer) you will need to provide your business licence and business identification number, and the transferor's (seller's) full name, address and firearms licence number
      5. if you initiate the transfer you will need to provide the registration certificate number and confirm the firearm information (make, model, serial number, firearms identification number, etc.)
    2. When you call the CFP, you will be provided with a transfer number. Make sure that both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) have the transfer number
    3. The Chief Firearms Officer for the jurisdiction receives the request and will review the transfer to make sure that the transferee (buyer) is acquiring the restricted firearm or prohibited handgun for one of the permitted purposes (Firearms Act, Section 28)
    4. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will receive a confirmation notice to let them know that the transfer is complete. After a transfer is approved, the new registration certificate will be sent to the new owner

  2. Online (business transfers only): An application to transfer a restricted or prohibited firearm can be initiated online via the Business Web Services portal. The business initiates the transfer, identifies the transferee (buyer) and the transferor (seller), and obtains the required information in order to complete the transfer.

    A business can use this service to transfer restricted or prohibited firearms if:

    • a business buys from, or sells to, an adult who is 18 or older who has a valid PAL with restricted privileges for that class of firearm
    • a business buys from, or sells to, another business or museum
    • a business sells to a public service agency
  3. Mail: An application to transfer a restricted or prohibited firearm can be initiated by mail. Use form RCMP 5492 for restricted and prohibited firearms. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) must complete the form.

For additional information on prohibited firearms, please visit the Public Safety Canada website.

Handguns

Changes to the Firearms Act impact licensed individuals who own, or who wish to acquire, handguns.

  • Aspiring owners: If you want to acquire a handgun from any source in Canada, or through importation, you must meet one of the exemptions specified in the Firearms Act. Specifically, you must either:
    • hold an authorization to carry in respect of a handgun; or
    • meet the prescribed criteria and annually provide a letter to a chief firearms officer from a provincial or national sport shooting governing body indicating
      • that you are training, competing or coaching in a handgun shooting discipline that is on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee,
      • the disciplines in which you train, compete or coach, and
      • that the handgun in question is necessary for training, competing or coaching in those disciplines.
  • Current owners: Individuals who already own registered handguns:
    • may continue to possess and use them.
    • may dispose of them by:
      • transferring them to an individual who meets one of the above exemptions;
      • transferring them to a licenced business or museum;
      • lawfully exporting them (see Exporting firearms to another country);
      • having them permanently and irreversibly deactivated; or,
      • surrendering them to a chief firearms officer, a firearms officer, or a law enforcement officer for destruction without compensation.
  • Businesses: Authorized businesses may continue to sell handguns to exempted individuals, law enforcement and the military, or to other authorized businesses, including museums.
  • Estates of deceased handgun owners: Handguns registered to a deceased individual may be disposed of by the same methods that are available to current owners. Please see the Transfer of firearms from estates page for further information.

Exporting firearms to another country

An export is not a transfer. There is no need to contact the CFP for a reference number when exporting a non-restricted firearm.

If you permanently export a restricted or prohibited firearm, you must contact the CFP so that registration records may be updated. You may be asked for documentary evidence to prove that the firearm was exported; a copy of the export permit, stamped by Canada Border Services Agency, normally will suffice.

An export permit may be required when exporting a firearm, firearm parts, or firearm-related goods (for example, telescopic sights, cartridge magazines, ammunition) to another country either permanently (for example, for sale) or temporarily (for example, for hunting or sport shooting purposes).

An import permit may be required to import a firearm, firearm parts, or firearm-related goods to Canada, including firearms that were previously exported from Canada.

For information on export and import permitting requirements for firearms, firearm parts, and firearm-related goods, contact Global Affairs Canada at 343-203-4331 or by email at tie.reception@international.gc.ca.

For more information on procedures for importing or exporting firearms, firearm parts, and firearm-related goods, please visit the Canada Border Services website at Canada Border Services Agency website.

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