Prohibited Firearms in Canada — Classification & Legal Status
Prohibited firearms cannot be acquired by new licence holders. No new Prohibited Person Licences are issued. Some individuals who held prohibited firearms before reclassification may keep them under grandfathered licences (Class 12.1/12.2) but cannot sell, transfer, or import them.
| Entity | Attribute | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Firearms | Classification | Prohibited (no exceptions) |
| Short Pistol Barrel | Prohibited Threshold | Under 105mm OR .25/.32 calibre |
| 2020 OIC | Models Added | ~1,500 (AR-15, M14, Ruger Mini-14 Tactical, etc.) |
| Grandfathered Licence | Types | 12.1 (Class 1) and 12.2 (Class 3) |
| Transfer Prohibited | Rule | Cannot be sold to another Canadian |
| Storage Rule | Same As | Restricted (trigger lock AND locked container) |
| Estate | What Happens | Surrender to CFO or deactivate |
What Are Common Prohibited Firearms?
Prohibited firearms include: all fully automatic firearms (regardless of age), converted automatics, handguns with barrels under 105mm or in .25/.32 calibre (used in competitive shooting — grandfathered), and approximately 1,500 models added by the May 2020 Order-in-Council including the Colt AR-15, Ruger Mini-14 Tactical, SIG MCX, and M14 pattern rifles.
Can You Keep a Prohibited Firearm You Already Owned?
Yes, under grandfathering. If you owned a specific prohibited firearm before it was reclassified, you may keep it under a grandfathered Prohibited Person Licence. You cannot sell it, transfer it, or loan it. If you die, the firearm must be surrendered to the CFO or deactivated — it cannot be passed to heirs.
What Is the 2020 OIC and Its Current Status?
The May 2020 Order-in-Council prohibited approximately 1,500 semi-automatic firearm models in Canada. A buyback and amnesty period was announced. As of 2026, the amnesty has been extended and the federal buyback program remains partially implemented. Grandfathered owners may continue to possess (but not use, sell, or transfer) their prohibited firearms pending the program.