Regulations Amending the Firearms Licences Regulations
(Mandatory licence revocation and refusal)
Enabling Act
Firearms Act
Description
On December 15, 2023, the Firearms Act was amended to reduce risks to public safety and to better respond to instances of firearms-related violence, including Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), family violence, domestic violence, and gender-based violence. A possession and acquisition licence ("firearms licence") is revoked and must be refused when the licence holder or applicant is subject to a "protection order".
Regulations are needed to define "protection order," including what entities will be recognized as other competent authorities that issue protection orders and to provide factors for Chief Firearms Officers (CFO) to consider when deciding whether or not to issue a firearms licence with conditions (conditional licence) to individuals subject to the mandatory licence revocation and refusal for the purpose of sustenance hunting or trapping for themselves or their families.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The regulations would impact all persons subject to a protection order as defined in the regulation. They will automatically have their licence revoked or, if a new applicant, will not be eligible to hold a firearms licence until the expiry of the order.
Provincial and territorial courts will be required to notify CFOs of all protection orders that meet this definition, including their issuance, revocation or variation, within 24 hours. This regulation is expected to affect the administration of the Firearms Act, including processing of licence revocations and issuance of licence with conditions for sustenance hunting.
Sustenance hunters whose licence has been revoked may be affected as they would be required to meet any prescribed requirements associated with the issuance of a conditional licence.
There would be no impacts on businesses as these regulations would affect individual licence applicants and holders.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
N/A
Consultations
Proposed regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I from March 8 to April 7, 2025 for public comments. Public Safety continues to engage with provincial and territorial officials and Indigenous organizations on the proposal for considerations on implementation and improvements to the regime.
Further information
More information on former Bill C-21: A comprehensive strategy to address gun violence and strengthen gun laws in Canada.
Departmental contact information
ps.firearms-armesafeu.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca
Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan
April 2024.
- Date modified: