One Canadian killed by gun violence is one too many. Violent crimes involving firearms continue to have devastating impacts on communities across the country, and on Canadians who have lost loved ones to these crimes. Events like the recent tragedy in Nova Scotia, the attack in 2017 at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec, and the massacre that took place in 1989 at École Polytechnique de Montréal should never have happened. That is why the Government of Canada is introducing measures to combat gun violence, and help keep us safe.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced the ban of over 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms. These models represent nine categories of firearms and two types identified by characteristic. Some of their components are also prohibited.

The newly prohibited firearms and components cannot be legally used, sold, or imported. Owners must also continue to safely store them, and may only transfer and transport them under limited circumstances. These measures will remove dangerous firearms designed for military use from our communities, and help ensure that Canadian families and communities no longer suffer from gun violence.

There will be a transition period of two years to protect owners of newly prohibited firearms from criminal liability while they take steps to comply with these new rules. This two-year amnesty order under the Criminal Code is in effect until April 30, 2022. There are exceptions under the amnesty for Indigenous peoples exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights to hunt, and for those who hunt or trap to sustain themselves or their families. These exceptions will allow for the continued use of newly prohibited firearms in limited circumstances until a suitable replacement can be found. By the end of the amnesty period, all firearms owners must comply with the ban.

The Government of Canada intends to implement a buy-back program as soon as possible to safely remove these firearms and to introduce legislation as early as possible, working with Parliament and through public consultation.

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Quick Facts

• In Canada, there are currently over 100,000 restricted firearms among the models that are now prohibited. This number does not include other newly-prohibited models that were not subject to registration requirements.
• An individual should not deliver a firearm to a police station without first making arrangements with a police officer for a safe and scheduled delivery or pick up. Individuals should not surrender their firearm while physical distancing requirements are in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Firearms owners must keep their firearms securely stored in accordance with the storage requirements until more information on the buy-back program is available.
• A Criminal Code amnesty is in place until April 30, 2022, to protect lawful owners from criminal liability and to enable them to comply with the law. Under the amnesty, the newly prohibited firearms can only be transferred or transported within Canada for specific purposes.
• Unless you are an Indigenous person exercising treaty rights to hunt or a sustenance hunter, you can only transfer or transport in accordance with the amnesty, such as to:
  • have them deactivated by an approved business
  • return them to a lawful owner’s residence
  • export them lawfully
  • surrender them to police without compensation

Related Product

Backgrounder: List of prohibited assault-style firearms

May 1, 2020

Prohibition on assault-style firearms

Firearm	Old Classification	New Classification
M16, M4, AR-10, AR-15 rifle*	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
Ruger Mini-14 rifle	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
Vz58 rifle	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
M14 rifle	Non-restricted	Prohibited
Beretta CX4 Storm carbine	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
Robinson Armament XCR rifle	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 carbine and pistol	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
SIG Sauer SIG MCX and SIG Sauer SIG MPX carbine and pistol*	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited
Swiss Arms Classic Green and Seasons Series rifles	Non-restricted/Restricted	Prohibited

*Upper receiver is also prescribed as a prohibited device

In addition to the list prohibited by model, all firearms with one or more of the following physical characteristics are prohibited on the basis that their potential power exceeds safe civilian use:

• Firearms with a bore 20mm or greater (e.g., grenade launchers)
• Firearms capable of discharging a projectile with a muzzle energy greater than 10,000 Joules (e.g. sniper rifles)

• Backgrounder: List of prohibited assault-style firearms