Bringing Firearms Into Canada

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New Requirements for Visitors Bringing Firearms into Canada

OTTAWA, December 22, 2000. The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Canada today announced the coming into force of new requirements for visitors bringing firearms into Canada. The Firearms Act requires every firearm owner in Canada to have a licence or valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate by January 1, 2001. "These requirements will ensure that visitors coming to Canada are under the same obligations as Canadian residents regarding firearms," said Minister McLellan.

As of January 1, 2001, visitors who do not have a Canadian firearms licence will need to report their firearms to customs at the border, complete a non-resident firearms declaration form in triplicate, have it confirmed by a customs officer and pay a $50 (Canadian) fee. Once confirmed, this declaration form will act as a temporary licence and registration certificate while in Canada and is valid for 60 days. Visitors may renew their temporary licence any time during a 12-month period without paying an additional fee. Unlicensed non-residents who plan to borrow a firearm in Canada must obtain a Temporary Borrowing Licence. Visitors will be able to purchase ammunition with Canadian firearms licence, a confirmed firearms declaration form or a Temporary Borrowing Licence.

Copies of the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration Form are available here, or by calling 1-800-731-4000, or at the border, or at www.cfc.gc.ca under "visitors". The Temporary Firearms Borrower's licence (non-residents) forms are available by calling 1-800-731-4000 or at www.cfc.gfc.ca under "visitors". The Borrower's form must be completed before arrival into Canada and the cost of the licence is $30 (Canadian).

Firearm owners visiting Canada will be subject to the same safe storage and transportation regulations as Canadian firearm owners. They are prevented from bringing in firearms that are prohibited in Canada and restricted firearms will require an Authorization to Transport before they arrive at the border. "These public safety measures apply to all Canadians and to visitors. We will continue to work closely with members of the firearms community to ensure that the law is applied fairly and with as little disruption to visitors and outfitters as possible," said McLellan.

While the licensing provisions and new requirements are coming into effect on January 1, 2001, certain sections of the regulations governing public agents and the import/ export requirements are being deferred until Jan.1, 2003. Firearm licence applications are available at local post offices or by calling 1 800-731-4000.

Ref.:
Farah Mohamed, Director of Communications, Minister McLellanÕs Office, (613) 992-4621
David Austin, Communications and Public Affairs, Canadian Firearms Centre, (613) 941-5371
Chantale Breton, Canadian Firearms Centre, (613) 946-3116

I Am A Gun User Visiting Canada

December 22, 2000. Canada has enacted strict laws with respect to the importing, exporting, possession, use, storage, display and transportation of firearms. Since these are federal laws, they apply across the country. Some of the provisions are in effect now while others come into effect January 1, 2003. As of January 1, 2001, the procedures for bringing firearms into Canada, or for borrowing firearms while in Canada, changed as a result of mandatory licence requirements for all firearms owners and users in Canada. This fact sheet provides information on the main provisions that apply to you, beginning January 1, 2001, if you bring firearms into Canada or if you borrow and use firearms while you are here. The rules vary somewhat, depending on the class of firearm. For the purposes of Canadian law, the three classes of firearms are:

1. Non-restricted (most ordinary rifles and shotguns);

2. Restricted (mainly handguns); and

3. Prohibited (full automatics, converted automatics, handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm (approx. 4") or less, and .25 or .32 calibre handguns among others).

Note: Certain handguns used in International Shooting Union (ISU) sporting competitions are classified as restricted even though they meet the definition of a prohibited handgun. A list of these handguns is available. (See "Additional Information" at the end of this fact sheet.)

Bringing Firearms Into Canada

You may not bring a prohibited firearm or replica firearm into Canada. (A replica looks exactly, or almost exactly, like a firearm but is not a firearm; and, it cannot discharge projectiles at all, or discharges only harmless projectiles).

To bring a non-restricted firearm into Canada:

• You must be at least 18 years old. (See below for options for minors who use firearms.)

• You must declare your firearms at your first point of entry.

• To bring a restricted firearm into Canada:

• You must be at least 18 years old.

• You need to get an Authorization to Transport (ATT) from a provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) before you arrive at the point of entry into Canada.

• You cannot get an ATT for the purpose of hunting or self-protection.

Declaring your Firearms

The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) is responsible for all customs procedures. Here are the basics if you are bringing firearms into Canada. In most cases, you will have to declare your firearms in writing, using an a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (form JUS 909 EF), beginning January 1, 2001. Your declaration must be confirmed by a customs officer. The confirmed declaration will serve as a temporary licence and registration certificate for up to 60 days. Please fill out the declaration form before you arrive to save time at the point of entry. However, note that the form must be signed in front of the Customs officer at the point of entry. You will find information on where to get forms at the end of this bulletin.

Exception: You will not need a confirmed declaration if you have a Canadian possession and acquisition licence (PAL), or a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) that was issued under the former law. Before applying for a PAL, you must pass the test for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. You can pass the test without taking the course.

To Borrow A Firearm In Canada

As of January 1, 2001, if you wish to borrow firearms, you must either: be under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed adult (aged 18 or older), or have a valid PAL or FAC (see above), or have an approved Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence (for Non-residents) (form JUS 715 EF). A temporary borrowing licence will only allow you to borrow non-restricted firearms, and only for one of the following purposes:

• Hunting under the supervision of an outfitter or other person authorized to organize hunting services in Canada,

• Hunting with a Canadian resident who has the proper firearms licence and hunting licence,

• Competing in a shooting competition,

• Target shooting at an approved shooting club or range,

• Taking part in an historical re-enactment or display,

• Engaging in a business or scientific activity being carried on in a remote area where firearms are needed to control animal predators,

• Taking part in a parade, pageant or other similar event, or

• Using firearms for movie, television, video or theatrical productions or publishing activities.

To Buy A Firearm In Canada

You need either a PAL or a valid FAC. If You Are Under 18 Years Old you cannot bring a firearm into Canada, nor can you buy firearms. In addition, at present, you are not eligible to apply for the minors' licence. However, you may use non-restricted or restricted firearms for an approved purpose under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed adult.

When Arriving At The Point Of Entry:
There are additional laws with respect to such matters as the safe transportation, storage, lending, giving and selling of firearms.
Fees (in Canadian Funds). A Non-Resident Firearm Declaration will cost $50. It can be renewed any number of times within a 12-month period at no extra cost. A possession and acquisition licence costs $60 for non-restricted firearms and is valid for five years.
A Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence (for Non-residents) will cost $30. You may renew it once in a 12-month period at no extra cost. Any renewals after that will cost $30. The registration fee for imported firearms that you decide to register in Canada is $25 per firearm.

Additional Information And Where To Get Application Forms

You can obtain most application forms and additional information on the legal requirements under the Firearms Act by calling 1-800-731-4000 (if you live in the U.S.) or 1-506-624-5380 (if you live in another country). Application forms for confirmed declarations and temporary borrowing licences may also be obtained from Canadian tourist offices, customs offices, gun clubs and outfitters. Applications for minor's licences and ATTs can only be obtained from a provincial or territorial CFO. You may contact a CFO by calling either of the above phone numbers.

For information on the declaration process, please call the CCRA at the following numbers:
Within Canada: 1-800 461-9999
Outside Canada: 1-204 983-3500 or 1-506 636-5064

Acronyms used in this fact sheet:
ATT - Authorization to Transport
CFO - Chief Firearms Officer
CCRA - Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
FAC - Firearms Acquisition Certificate
ISU - International Shooting Union
PAL - Possession and Acquisition Licence

Information

For more information, or to order a copy of the Firearms Act, its regulations, application forms and other CFC publications, contact us at 1 800 731-4000 (Toll Free) or e-mail: canadian.firearms@justice.gc.ca

This fact sheet is intended to provide general information only. For legal references, please refer to the Firearms Act and its regulations. Provincial, territorial and municipal laws, regulations and policies may also apply.
Revised May 18, 2001

The Forms You’ll Need

Save time! Here's the TWO forms you'll need when you get to the border to bring your firearms in. Form JUS 909 E/F (108K) and JUS 910 E/F (92K). They are in Adobe Reader Format (PDF). If you do not have Adober Acrobat Reader, you can download it at Adobe. Most newer browsers have the plug in already installed, so download the forms first and try it.

IMPORTANT NOTES ON FORMS: The Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (Form JUS 909 E/F), and its continuation sheet (Form JUS 910 E/F) must be presented in triplicate, unsigned, at the border. You may complete the form once, and make 2 photocopies; however, requests for photocopies made at your first point of entry (at the border) into Canada may be denied (so probably not worth the chance, bring them with you already photocopied or fill in all three copies manually). In addition, you must have your firearms with you at the point of entry when you have your declaration confirmed. If you have a valid FAC or possession and acquisition licence, you do not need to fill in a declaration form or pay a fee. You must still orally declare your firearms to a Customs officer.

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