Shooting clubs and ranges
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As set out in the Shooting Club and Shooting Ranges Regulations, a "shooting range" is "a place that is designed or intended for the safe discharge of firearms, on a regular and structured basis for the purpose of target practice or target shooting competitions."
All shooting ranges require the approval of the Chief Firearms Officer of the province or territory in which they are located, unless:
- they are on the premises of a licensed firearms business and are used only by licensed owners and employees of that business; or
- they are only used by public agents, such as police officers, in relation to their lawful employment duties.
Call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 to check whether a club or range you want to join is approved by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer.
Transporting your firearm to a club or range
To get an Authorization to Transport restricted firearms or prohibited handguns, you can use one of the following methods:
- call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000
- apply for an Authorization to Transport online by accessing the Individual Web Services
- complete and submit to the Canadian Firearms Program an Application for an Authorization to Transport Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms (form RCMP 5490)
Range design and construction guidelines
To receive the most recent version of The Range Design and Construction Guidelines, please email the Canadian Firearms Program at shootingrange-champsdetir@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Should you have any questions about the guidelines or shooting ranges, please reach out to the Canadian Firearms Program at cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
To apply for approval of a shooting range or shooting club, you may apply online using the MyCFP portal if this is the first time you are applying for a shooting range or shooting club approval or you may submit the form by mail to the Canadian Firearms Program.
Visit Apply for a firearms business licence, a carrier licence or a shooting range and/or club approval for more information.
Setting up target shooting on your property
Check with your municipality to see if firearms can lawfully be discharged in your area. Contact the Chief Firearms Officer of your province or territory to find out if the place where you will be target shooting must be approved under the Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations.
Your Chief Firearms Officer can provide advice or approval on how to:
- make your range safe
- ensure that projectiles do not stray onto neighbouring property
- make sure there are adequate warning systems in place to tell people they are entering a shooting area
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