Bill
C-68, Canada's New Firearm Act
On December 1, 1998, the
Firearms Act came into effect. This legislation was enacted
in 1995 but the complexity of the law and the need to devise
new reporting systems and procedures delayed its
implementation.
Police agencies in
Canada have been involved in the registration of restricted
guns such as pistols and revolvers since the 1940's. In the
1980's police also started to process and approve Firearm
Acquisition Certificates. With the Firearms Act now in
place, police agencies will no longer be involved in any
fashion in the registration and issuing of permits or
licenses.
How
will the new Firearms Act affect the Average Canadian?
Hunters have never had
to register their rifles or shotguns and many gun owners
have never gone through the process of getting a Firearms
Acquisition Certificate because they weren't buying a gun or
borrowing one. From now on, ALL guns, rifles, shotguns,
crossbows, and previously registered firearms such as
restricted or prohibited firearms will have to be registered
by January 1, 2003. As well, ALL gun owners will have to be
licensed by January 1, 2000.
What
Kind of License Will I Need
If you own a hunting
rifle or shotgun and you don't intend or purchasing or
borrowing another firearm, a simple "possession" license
will allow you to keep your gun(s). If however you intend on
buying or borrowing somebody else's gun(s), then you'll need
a "possession/acquisition" license. Owners of previously
registered handguns and revolvers are somewhat familiar with
the licensing and registration process but they will
apparently have to re-register all their firearms.
Registration forms and
license applications are available at the Post Office. For
any other information about the Firearms Act, you can call
the Canada Firearms Center Hotline at 1-800-731-4000 or
access their Internet site at
www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca or e-mail
[email protected].
The Canadian Firearms
Center also provides some very informative pamphlets on gun
storage, gun display, and transportation of firearms.