What's New with the Firearms Act? The Firearms Licence and Verification

Nov 30, 1998

The following bulletins have been recently received. They paint the new system as facile, user friendly, and fast.

If you have occasion to use the system print the relevant bulletin from the http://www.cfc.ccaf.gc.ca web site so you'll know exactly what treatment you have been promised.

The NFA advises: DO NOT TRUST BULLETINS, OR ANY PUBLICATION OTHER THAN A COPY OF BILL C-68 AND A COPY OF THE "MARCH 1998 REGULATIONS." The CFC's error rate in its publications is FAR too high to trust them. THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN LAW.

Bulletin No. 26

When You Will Need A Firearms Licence

The Firearms Act requires individuals who own or use firearms to have a firearms licence. Licensing begins December 1, 1998. If you have firearms you must have a firearms licence by January 1, 2001. A valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) is considered a licence. You will need a firearms licence or a valid FAC to acquire firearms after December 1, 1998. As well:

1. You will need a firearms licence before you can register your firearms. The Firearms Act requires that all firearms you own on December 1, 1998 be registered by January 1, 2003. Any firearm you acquire after December 1, 1998 will be registered when you acquire it.

2. You will need a possession and acquisition licence to import a firearm you acquired outside of Canada. Starting January 1, 2001, you will need a firearms licence to take your own firearms in and out of the country.

3. You will need a firearms licence to borrow a firearm. The licence must identify the class of firearm you are borrowing (non-restricted, restricted, prohibited). You don't need a licence if you borrow a firearm and use it under the direct and immediate supervision of the owner or someone with a licence for that class of firearm.

4. You will need a firearms licence to get an Authorization to Transport. An Authorization to Transport will allow you to transport restricted or prohibited firearms between two or more specific places. It will replace the existing Permit to Transport, Permit to Convey, and in some cases the Permit to Carry. These permits will be considered an Authorization to Transport until they expire or until December 1, 2000, whichever comes first. Permits to Convey will be considered Authorizations to Transport until they expire.

5. You will need a firearms licence to get an Authorization to Carry. An Authorization to Carry will allow you to carry a restricted firearm or prohibited handgun, in rare cases, for protection of life or in connection with a lawful profession or occupation. The Authorization to Carry will replace certain Permits to Carry. The Permit to Carry is valid until it expires or until December 1, 2000, whichever comes first.

6. You will need a firearms licence to exhibit at a gun show. The licence must identify the class of firearm you are exhibiting.

7. Starting April 1, 1999, you will need a firearms licence to acquire, but not possess, a crossbow.

8. Starting January 1, 2001 you will need a firearms licence to buy non-prohibited ammunition.

Bulletin No. 25

Verification for Individuals

Starting December 1, 1998, there will be times when a firearm will need to be verified. Verification is a quality- assurance measure for Canada's new firearms registration system whereby firearm owners will meet with an approved firearms verifier who will ensure that the description of their firearm on the registration application form is accurate. Verification by an approved verifier will be available to you free of charge. You will need to have your firearm verified only once in its lifetime, unless you modify it so it changes class (e.g. from non-restricted to restricted). Beginning December 1, 1998 you can call 1-800-731-4000 for the name of an approved verifier near you. Starting December 1, 1998 you must have your restricted or prohibited firearm verified before you apply to transfer it (sell, barter, give away) to a new owner. Your restricted or prohibited firearm will not need to be verified if the Registrar informs you that your current registration information is complete and accurate. After the firearm's registration information is verified, a Registration Certificate indicating "verified" will be sent to the person receiving the firearm in the transfer. Starting January 1, 2003, all non-restricted firearms (most hunting rifles and shotguns) will have to be verified by an approved verifier before transfer.

Firearm Verifiers

The Registrar, who is head of the new registration system, is inviting knowledgeable firearm owners and users across Canada, such as collectors, gun club members and employees of firearm businesses, to become approved firearm verifiers. If the Registrar approves you as a verifier, you will receive free training and access to reference materials. The reference material will include the Firearms Reference Table (FRT) on CD-ROM. Approved verifiers will volunteer their services to individuals and to businesses. For more information on becoming a firearm verifier call 1-800-731-4000.