ARCHIVED - Abolishing the Long-Gun Registry: Proposed Reforms to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code

On October 25th, 2011, the Government of Canada introduced into Parliament Bill C-19, the Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act.  This legislation would remove the unnecessary burden on Canadians to register their non-restricted firearms [long-guns]. Since 2006, the Government has introduced three bills to repeal the long-gun registry:

• Bill C-21 in June 2006
• Bill C-24 in November 2007; and,
• Bill S-5 in April 2009.

Once passed, this legislation will repeal the requirement for long-gun owners to register their hunting rifles and shotguns. Firearms owners will still require a valid firearms licence to purchase or possess firearms and to purchase ammunition. They will also still be required to undergo background checks, pass a firearms safety training course and comply with firearms safe storage and transportation requirements.

The legislation will also require that individuals be in possession of a valid firearm licence when a firearm is purchased.

The legislation will not affect the registration process for restricted and prohibited firearms and the Canadian Firearms Registry will continue to maintain records on these firearms.  The legislation clarifies the controls over the transfer of restricted and prohibited firearms, specifically the requirement for a business or an individual to notify and receive the authorization of the Chief Firearms Officer in order to transfer the restricted and prohibited firearm to an individual.

The Government of Canada has also introduced other measures in the past to ease the burdens on firearms owners and make our firearms laws and regulations more effective, including:

• In 2006, the Government transferred the Canada Firearms Program and responsibility for the administration of the Firearms Act and regulations to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP);
• In 2008,  the Tackling Violent Crime Act (Bill C-2) was implemented which imposed stronger mandatory penalties on the use of firearms by criminals, particularly those who are linked to gangs and organized crime; and,
• Introduced measures to facilitate compliance with the Firearms Act, including:
  • Fee waivers for Canadians renewing or upgrading their licence;
  • An amnesty to protect non-restricted firearms owners from criminal prosecution while bringing themselves into compliance with licencing and registration requirements; and,
  • Enabling holders to renew expired Possession Only Licences.

The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure that gun control in this country is focused on fighting crime, keeping firearms out of the wrong hands and minimizing burdens on law-abiding gun owners.

Additional information about the roles and responsibilities of firearm owners in Canada or for information on how recent and proposed changes affect your obligations, please contact the RCMP's Canada Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000, or visit their website at http://cfc-cafc.gc.ca.

Date modified:

2015-11-20