If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Some folks claim Canada has basically banned everything with a trigger, while others insist nothing has really changed for the average hunter. Honestly? The truth is somewhere in the messy middle.
Gun laws in Canada have undergone a massive face-lift over the last few years. We aren't just talking about a few minor tweaks to the paperwork. Between the handgun freeze, the massive "assault-style" prohibition list, and the new "red flag" laws, the landscape is almost unrecognizable compared to a decade ago.
If you're a legal owner or just someone trying to figure out if you can still go target shooting, you've got to navigate a maze of RCMP bulletins and federal "Orders in Council." It’s a lot.
The Big Handgun Freeze: Can You Actually Buy One?
Basically, no.
Unless you fall into a very tiny, specific bucket of people, the days of walking into a shop and buying a Glock are over. This started as a temporary measure in 2022 but was officially etched into law through Bill C-21.
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You can't buy, sell, or even transfer a handgun to your best friend. Even if you both have your Restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence (RPAL), the door is shut. The only people still in the game are Olympic-level competitive shooters, certain security professionals, or people who already owned their handguns before the freeze kicked in.
If you already have a registered handgun, you can still keep it. You can still take it to the range—assuming you have your Authorization to Transport (ATT). But that’s where the "growth" of handgun ownership in Canada effectively stopped. It’s a capped market.
What's Going On with the "Assault-Style" Ban and the 2026 Deadline?
This is where things get really spicy. Back in May 2020, the government banned about 1,500 models (a list that has since grown to over 2,500). We're talking about the AR-15, the Ruger Mini-14, the M305—the heavy hitters of the semi-auto world.
For a long time, these guns have just been sitting in people's safes. Why? Because the government issued an amnesty. But that clock is ticking.
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The 2026 Amnesty Expiry
Right now, the Amnesty Order is set to expire on October 30, 2026.
If you still have one of these "newly prohibited" firearms, you’re currently protected from criminal liability. But once that date hits, the protection vanishes. You can't use them for hunting (unless you’re an Indigenous person exercising treaty rights or a sustenance hunter), and you definitely can't take them to the range.
The Buyback (Compensation Program)
The government is finally rolling out the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP). They started a pilot in Nova Scotia in late 2025 and are expanding it nationwide through 2026.
- The Declaration: You have to tell them what you have via an online portal.
- The Collection: You'll eventually book an appointment to hand it over to the police or an authorized agent.
- The Paycheck: They’ve published a price list. For example, a Chiappa M4-22 might get you around $530, while other models could fetch significantly more.
If you don't participate, you basically have three choices: deactivate the gun (make it a paperweight), export it legally, or turn it in for destruction without getting a dime.
Red Flags, Yellow Flags, and Your License
The "Red Flag" laws are a big deal in the new version of gun laws in Canada. Essentially, anyone—not just the police—can apply to a judge for an emergency order to remove firearms from someone they believe is a danger to themselves or others.
There is also a "Yellow Flag" system that took effect in March 2025. This allows a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) to temporarily suspend a license if they have "reasonable grounds" to suspect the person is no longer eligible. It's a "pause" button while they investigate.
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How to Actually Get a License in 2026
Despite all the bans, people are still getting licensed. In fact, there are over 2.4 million license holders in Canada right now. If you want to join them, the process is still the same old marathon, just with more digital options.
- Step 1: The Course. You have to pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). If you want restricted guns (though you can't buy handguns, some rifles are still restricted), you need the CRFSC too.
- Step 2: The Exam. You need 80% on both the written and the practical handling tests. No shortcuts here.
- Step 3: The Application. You apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). The RCMP has moved most of this to the "My CFP" portal.
- Step 4: The Wait. Expect to wait 3 to 6 months. They check your criminal record, your mental health history, and they will call your references and your ex-partners from the last two years.
Storage and Transport: Don't Get Arrested on a Technicality
The RCMP doesn't play around with storage. If you're caught with a non-restricted rifle just leaning against a corner in your closet, you're in trouble.
Non-Restricted (Hunting Rifles/Shotguns)
- Must be unloaded.
- Must have a secure locking device (trigger lock) OR be locked in a sturdy cabinet/room.
- Ammunition must be separate OR locked in the same cabinet as the gun.
Restricted (and the now-Prohibited ones under amnesty)
- Must be unloaded.
- Must have a trigger lock AND be in a locked, sturdy, non-transparent container.
- If it’s an automatic (Prohibited), you usually have to pull the bolt out and lock that separately.
Real Talk: The Impact
The data is a bit of a mixed bag. A recent Ipsos poll from early 2026 shows about 65% of Canadians support these stricter measures, especially in urban centers like Montreal and Toronto. But in the Prairies, the mood is totally different—nearly half the people in Alberta are dead set against the new rules.
Experts like those at the Mass Casualty Commission have argued that limiting access to semi-automatics reduces the scale of potential tragedies. On the flip side, advocacy groups like the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) argue that the laws target the wrong people, focusing on legal owners rather than the "ghost guns" and cross-border smuggling that drive most urban crime.
Your Next Steps for Staying Legal
If you own firearms or are thinking about it, here is how you stay on the right side of the law this year:
- Check the List: Go to the Public Safety Canada website and search the "Firearms Reference Table" (FRT). Make sure your favorite plinker hasn't been reclassified while you weren't looking.
- Set a Calendar Alert: October 30, 2026. That is the "Drop Dead" date for the amnesty. If you have a banned firearm, you need a plan for it before then.
- Update Your Address: You are legally required to notify the RCMP within 30 days of moving. You can do this easily now through the My CFP portal.
- Inspect Your Locks: Standards for "sturdy containers" can be subjective. Invest in a proper gun safe; it’s the best way to avoid a "careless storage" charge if you ever have a break-in.
- Renew Early: Don't wait until your PAL expires. Start the renewal process six months out. If your license lapses, you are technically in illegal possession of all your firearms immediately.
The landscape is shifting fast. Staying informed isn't just about being a "good owner"—it's about protecting yourself from significant legal headaches in a country that is increasingly moving toward a very restrictive model of gun ownership.