The federal government announced additional prohibitions on what it deems “assault-style firearms,” adding another 179 firearms to the list of those banned in May 2020 and last December.
In total, since 2020, more than 2,500 firearms have been banned. According to Public Safety Canada, the firearms banned includes “semi-automatic firearms with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical/military design with large capacity magazine) that are not suitable for hunting or sport shooting, and exceed safe civilian use.”
There appears to be no definition of what “exceeding safe civilian use” means. The firearms included in the new list revealed March 7 includes many variations of M1 rifles (which saw military use in the Second World War).
A list of the newly banned firearms can be found here.
What it means
The ban takes effect immediately. This means they can no longer be possessed, sold or imported into Canada (except for firearms businesses that have appropriate privileges), and can only be transferred or transported under limited circumstances. These firearms must be securely stored in accordance with the requirements for their classification prior to this prohibition.
An Amnesty Order, which expires on March 1, 2026, was also put in place to protect individuals and businesses who lawfully possessed the firearms prior to the ban from criminal liability while taking steps to come into compliance with the law. It permits the use of these firearms to exercise a right recognized and affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 or for the purpose of sustenance hunting.
The federal government says it intends “to provide fair compensation for businesses and individual firearms owners affected by this prohibition and the December 2024 prohibition.”
Businesses with eligible firearms and devices prohibited in May 2020 in their inventory should submit their claim for compensation before April 30, 2025.
Classifications under review
The government is also launching a review of firearms classifications and introduced yellow flag laws. These laws allow for the temporary suspension of a firearms licence for up to 30 days if Chief Firearms Officers suspect the holder is no longer eligible. Ineligibility could result from several actions, including suspicion of selling firearms illegally. Yellow flag laws allow members of the public to contact a CFO to report information regarding firearms owners, which might potentially lead to an investigation of the firearm owner’s eligibility and a suspension of their firearms licence.
Also, as of April 4, enhanced ineligibility and revocation laws will come into force. Among other things this means that individuals convicted of offences in which violence was used, threatened, or attempted against their intimate partner or any member of their family will be refused a firearms licence. Licences can also be revoked for acts of domestic violence or stalking. The proposal is available for consultation on the Canada Gazette as of March 8.
Not over: OFAH
“Included in today’s announcement was a commitment to review the firearms classification process in Canada,” Ontario Federation of Anglers (OFAH) and Hunters Manager of Policy Mark Ryckman said. “There is no way of knowing how that will impact the list of prohibited firearms in the future, but rest assured that this isn’t the final chapter in the Liberal government’s gun control plan.
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the OFAH, several other firearm advocacy groups, and a wealth of evidence in our favour, the government has not reconsidered their approach to firearms policy. Their agenda was set years ago, and it has become crystal clear that they will not deviate. We will continue to advocate on behalf of hunters and gun owners and work to create a positive perception of firearms and firearm owners in the eyes of the general public.”
Good Day,
Regarding Black Bear licencing, are there two types? One for “Spring” and one for “Fall”? Or can I purchase my Bear licence in order to hunt them in the Fall?
I apolygise……I left the word “now” out of my question.