Prohibited Firearms in Canada: Rules and Regulations
Prohibited firearms are the most strictly regulated class of firearms in Canada. Generally, no new PALs are issued with prohibited privileges. Possession is restricted almost entirely to individuals who were "grandfathered" into specific sub-classes before the bans were enacted.
| Topic | Detail | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Class Type | Status | Prohibited |
| Acquisition | New Purchases | Illegal for non-grandfathered civilians |
| Key Event | May 2020 OIC | Banned 1,500+ semi-auto models (e.g., AR-15) |
| Automatic Weapons | Status | Prohibited |
| Short Handguns | Criteria | Barrels 105mm or less or .32/.25 caliber (with exceptions) |
What Makes a Firearm Prohibited?
A firearm is prohibited if it is fully automatic, a sawed-off rifle/shotgun (barrel under 457mm), a handgun with a barrel 105mm or shorter, or if it fires .25 or .32 calibre ammunition (with specific Olympic target exceptions). Additionally, firearms listed specifically by Order-in-Council (OIC) are prohibited.
What Is Grandfathering?
Grandfathering refers to Section 12 of the Firearms Act. It allows individuals who legally possessed a prohibited firearm and registered it before a specific ban date to retain possession and a restricted version of their licence. The most common is the Section 12(6) class for short-barreled handguns banned in 1998.
What Happened in the 2020 OIC?
In May 2020, an Order-in-Council immediately reclassified approximately 1,500 models of firearms and their variants (including the AR-15, Mini-14, and Vz.58) from non-restricted or restricted to prohibited. Owners were ordered to keep them securely stored and not use them while an amnesty and buyback program was developed.
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