Firearms regulations in Alberta, Canada
Federal Firearms Legislation
Last Update/Review: August 12, 2002
Attention Canadian Hunters!As of January 1, 2001, federal law requires firearms owners to be licensed. You must carry on your person a valid federal firearms licence or a valid federal Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) to use or transport non-restricted firearms. As of January 1, 2003, federal law requires that all firearms be registered. As of that date, you must carry on your person a valid registration certificate for each firearm you are using or transporting. Go to Justice Canada’s Canadian Firearms Centre for more information and firearms licensing and registration. Note: A federal firearms licence or FAC is not required to purchase provincial hunting licences.
Attention Non-resident Alien Hunters!All firearms must be declared upon entry into Canada. See below. |
The following is a summary interpretation of some of the federal firearms legislation as it pertains to sport hunting. For further information about federal firearms laws and regulations, contact your local police service, or the Canadian Firearms Centre — telephone toll free, 1-800-731-4000.
Federal regulations allow the use of firearms for specified activities that include hunting. The possession of a loaded firearm is lawful, however, only in a location where the firearm may be discharged in accordance with any applicable federal and provincial acts and regulations, and municipal bylaws.
Possession Licence for Minors
A person 12 to 17 years of age must obtain a Minor’s Licence to use non-restricted firearms, such as rifles and shotguns, for hunting, target practice, firearms instruction or taking part in an organized shooting competition. The parent or legal guardian of the minor must give consent to the issuing of the licence. Note: a minor’s licence does not permit the holder to acquire (buy, inherit, receive as a gift or take in trade) firearms.
A licence is not required if a person, lawfully in possession of a firearm, allows a minor to use the firearm, in the same manner as the person is allowed to use it, and the minor is under the person’s immediate supervision.
Transportation of Firearms
A person who is authorized to have a non-restricted firearm may transport the firearm in a vehicle if the firearm is unloaded. A person may transport a non-restricted firearm by other means of conveyance (e.g., on an off-highway vehicle) provided it is unloaded and it is not left unattended if the vehicle cannot be locked.
Bringing Firearms into Canada
All firearms must be declared upon entry into Canada. Canada Customs requires the declaration be made in writing and charges a fee of $50 Cdn. This declaration is valid for 60 days. All pistols, revolvers and automatic firearms are restricted or prohibited weapons and may not be brought into Canada for hunting purposes.
Storage of Non-restricted Firearms
If a firearm is left in an unattended vehicle, the firearm must be secured in a locked trunk or similar compartment. If the vehicle has no such compartment, the firearm must be stored in the vehicle out of sight (not visible from outside the vehicle), and the vehicle or compartment containing the firearm must be securely locked.
A person must store a firearm unloaded and in a secured manner to ensure that it will not be readily available for use in a careless manner.
Unloaded Firearm
Unloaded, as it relates to a firearm, means that any propellant powder, projectile or cartridge that is capable of being discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech or firing chamber or in a cartridge magazine attached to or inserted into the firearm.
The only exemptions are muzzle-loading, non-restricted firearms (e.g., a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading shotgun that is lawful for hunting under the Wildlife Act) which may be transported loaded between hunting sites provided that the firing cap or flint is removed. —————————–
