To legally own a firearm in Ontario, you need a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) issued by the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program. There is no separate Ontario licence because firearms law in Canada is federal. Gun ownership is regulated by the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code, and the rules changed significantly again in 2026: the federal buyback program for banned “assault-style” firearms completed its declaration phase (January–March 2026), the Supreme Court of Canada agreed in March 2026 to hear a challenge to the 2020 prohibition, and in June 2026 Ottawa extended the amnesty for owners of prohibited firearms until 90 days after the Supreme Court’s decision.
Even technical non-compliance, improper storage, an expired licence, or an undeclared prohibited firearm can result in criminal charges. If you are facing any firearm-related charge in Ontario, contact a criminal defence lawyer before speaking to police.
Key Takeaways
- Firearms law is federal: the Firearms Act and Criminal Code apply identically in Ontario and every other province.
- A valid PAL is mandatory to possess or acquire any firearm; an RPAL is required for restricted firearms. Possession without a licence is a criminal offence (ss. 91–92 of the Criminal Code).
- The handgun freeze remains in force: most Canadians cannot buy, sell, or import handguns, although existing registered owners may keep and use theirs.
- June 2026: the amnesty for owners of prohibited “assault-style” firearms was extended; it now expires 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada rules on the challenge to the 2020 ban, expected in 2027.
- The federal buyback (ASFCP) declaration period closed on March 31, 2026; collection, deactivation and compensation run through early fall 2026.
- Firearm trafficking and smuggling carry mandatory minimums of 3 years and maximums of 14 years; using a firearm in an offence adds a mandatory consecutive sentence.
- Most firearm prosecutions turn on technical and Charter issues — searches, knowledge, classification — where early legal advice can change the outcome.
Can You Legally Own a Gun in Ontario?
Yes, owning a gun is legal in Ontario for anyone who holds a valid federal firearms licence (PAL or RPAL) and complies with storage, transport, and classification rules. Three sources of law govern ownership:
- The Firearms Act — licensing, safety training, storage, transport, and ongoing eligibility screening.
- The Criminal Code — firearm classifications, offences, and penalties, including mandatory minimums for serious offences.
- Orders in Council and regulations — used in 2020, 2024 and 2025 to prohibit more than 2,500 makes and models of firearms.
Administration is handled by the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program. Licence holders are continuously screened: a new criminal charge, protection order, or intimate-partner violence conviction can suspend or end your licence at any time.
How Canadian Law Classifies Firearms
Every firearm in Canada is classified as non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited, and the classification determines what licence you need, how the gun must be stored, and what happens if something goes wrong.
| Classification | Examples | Licence required | Key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-restricted | Most hunting rifles and shotguns | PAL | Standard storage and transport rules |
| Restricted | Grandfathered handguns; certain semi-automatic rifles | RPAL + registration certificate | Authorization to Transport (ATT); approved safe storage |
| Prohibited | 2,500+ banned models incl. most “assault-style” firearms; short-barrelled handguns | Cannot be acquired | Possession is protected only by the current amnesty; disposal or deactivation is required |
How to Get a Gun Licence in Ontario (PAL and RPAL)
To get a gun licence in Ontario, you must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, apply to the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program, clear a background check, and wait out a mandatory 28-day period — the licence is federal and valid for five years. Step by step:
- Complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). For an RPAL, you must also complete the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC).
- Pass the written and practical exams (minimum 80%).
- Apply to the Canadian Firearms Program, consenting to background screening of your criminal history, court records, mental-health history, and any domestic-violence or stalking concerns.
- Wait the mandatory minimum 28 days if you have not previously held a firearms licence.
- Receive a five-year licencesubject to continuous eligibility screening — renew before expiry, because possession of an expired licence can lead to charges.
Since April 2025, licences have been refused or revoked for individuals convicted of violence against an intimate partner or subject to a protection order. A minor’s licence (ages 12–17) allows borrowing non-restricted firearms and buying ammunition, but not acquiring firearms.
Can You Still Buy a Gun in Canada in 2026?
Yes, with a valid PAL, you can still buy non-restricted firearms (most rifles and shotguns), and with an RPAL, you can still buy some restricted firearms. You cannot buy a handgun or any prohibited firearm. Here is the current state of the market:
| What do you want to buy | Can you buy it in 2026? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting rifle/shotgun (non-restricted) | Yes, with a PAL | Standard regime unchanged |
| Restricted rifle (non-handgun) | Yes, with an RPAL + registration | Restricted sales continue outside the handgun freeze |
| Handgun | No (limited exceptions) | National handgun freeze, codified by Bill C-21 in December 2023 |
| “Assault-style” / prohibited firearm | No | Prohibited by the 2020, 2024 and 2025 orders; disposal or deactivation required |
| Ammunition and magazines | Yes, with a valid licence | Since September 2024, transfers require a valid PAL/RPAL |
Are Handguns Legal in Ontario?
Handguns remain legal to possess in Ontario for owners who had them registered before the October 2022 freeze, but almost no one can buy, sell, import, or otherwise acquire one today. The freeze, codified in law by Bill C-21 (Royal Assent December 2023), means existing owners may keep and use their registered handguns with a valid RPAL and ATT, but cannot transfer them to another individual, with narrow exceptions for elite sport shooters and certain professionals. Buying a handgun privately, or possessing one without registration, exposes you to charges under ss. 91–92 and s. 95 of the Criminal Code.
The 2020 Ban, the Buyback, and the Amnesty: Where Things Stand in July 2026
The deadline to dispose of banned “assault-style” firearms is no longer October 30, 2026 — in June 2026, the federal government extended the amnesty until 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada rules on the legal challenge to the 2020 prohibition. Key developments every affected owner in Ontario should know:
- Supreme Court challenge. In March 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal challenging the federal cabinet’s authority to ban firearms by Order in Council. A decision is expected in 2027.
- Amnesty extended (June 2026). The Amnesty Orders covering the 2020, 2024 and 2025 prohibitions now expire 90 days after the Supreme Court’s decision. Until then, owners who lawfully possess firearms are protected from criminal liability as long as they comply with the official terms on Canada.ca.
- Buyback declarations closed. The Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program’s declaration window for individuals ran from January 19 to March 31, 2026; roughly 67,000 firearms were declared. Collection, deactivation and compensation continue through early fall 2026. Owners who did not declare are not eligible for compensation but must still dispose of or deactivate their firearms before the amnesty ends.
Important: the amnesty protects lawful pre-ban owners from prosecution as long as they comply. It does not legalize the acquisition of a prohibited firearm, and possession outside the amnesty’s terms remains a criminal offence under s. 91 or s. 92 of the Criminal Code.
Storage and Transport: Where Lawful Owners Get Charged
Improper storage or transport is the most common way that otherwise law-abiding gun owners in Ontario end up facing criminal charges, no violence or bad intent required. The essentials: all firearms must be stored unloaded; non-restricted firearms need a locking device or locked container, with ammunition stored separately or locked; restricted and prohibited firearms require a vault, safe, or secure room plus a trigger lock. In transport, all firearms must be unloaded; restricted firearms must also be locked, inoperable, and moved under an Authorization to Transport. Authorizations to carry for personal protection are exceptionally rare and effectively limited to specific occupational risks.
Firearm Offences and Penalties in Canada
Firearm offences range from licensing lapses to trafficking, and penalties run from fines to life imprisonment.
| Offence | Section | Mandatory minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized possession (non-restricted) | s. 91 | None (Bill C-5, 2022) | 5 years (indictable) |
| Unauthorized possession (restricted/prohibited) | s. 92 | None | 10 years (indictable) |
| Loaded restricted/prohibited firearm | s. 95 | None (struck down, R. v. Nur, 2015 SCC 15) | 10 years |
| Using a firearm in an offence | s. 85 | 1 year consecutive (first) | 14 years |
| Trafficking/smuggling | ss. 99–103 | 3 years (first); 5 (subsequent) | 14 years (Bill C-21) |
| Improper storage | Firearms Act | None | 5 years (indictable) |
A conviction can also bring a lifetime weapons prohibition, DNA orders, immigration consequences for non-citizens, and loss of your licence and firearms. Where a death results from firearm use, including claimed self-defence, see our guide to manslaughter and self-defence in Canadian law.
Defending Firearm Charges in Ontario
Most firearm cases are won on technical and constitutional issues: the lawfulness of the search, proof of knowledge and control, classification disputes, and the amnesty’s protection rather than on the firearm itself.
“Firearm cases are highly technical, and that works in your favour if you know where to look. A search conducted without a valid warrant, a classification dispute, or an expired versus suspended licence can all completely change the outcome. My job is to make sure the Crown proves every element, lawfully.”
— Benson Wilson, Criminal Defence Lawyer, Vilkhov Law
Common defence routes include exclusion of evidence after a s. 8 Charter breach, reasonable doubt on knowledge or control of the firearm, classification and licensing errors, amnesty and exemption provisions, and challenges to red-flag and yellow-flag orders where procedure was not followed.
What Should You Do Right Now If You Are Charged With a Firearm Offence?
- Say nothing beyond asking for a lawyer. Statements about ownership, storage, or knowledge routinely become the Crown’s best evidence.
- Do not consent to searches. Politely decline; the lawfulness of the search is often the decisive issue.
- Preserve your paperwork. Licence, registration certificates, ATT, purchase records, and any buyback/declaration correspondence.
- Check your classification and amnesty status with counsel. Whether a firearm is properly classified and whether the extended amnesty covers you are legal questions that can defeat the charge entirely.
- Act before your first court date. Bail conditions and early Crown positions harden quickly.
Speak to a Firearms Defence Lawyer in Toronto and the GTA
If you are facing firearm-related charges in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Barrie, Etobicoke, or anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, the consequences can be severe and lasting — even for a first non-violent offence. Vilkhov Law’s criminal defence team represents clients across the full range of firearm and weapons charges. Contact us for a confidential consultation, available 24/7 at 416-807-4477.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get a gun licence in Ontario?
Complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, pass the exams with at least 80%, apply to the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program, pass the background check, and wait the mandatory 28 days. The licence (PAL) is federal, valid for five years, and required before you can possess or buy any firearm.
Can you own a gun in Ontario?
Yes. With a valid PAL, you can own non-restricted firearms such as most rifles and shotguns; with an RPAL, you can own restricted firearms. Ownership without a valid licence is a criminal offence.
Are handguns legal in Ontario?
Existing registered handguns remain legal to possess and use with an RPAL, but the national handgun freeze means most people cannot buy, sell, or import one. Acquiring a handgun outside the narrow exceptions is a criminal offence.
Can you still buy restricted firearms in Canada?
Yes, restricted firearms other than handguns can still be purchased with an RPAL and registered. Handguns are frozen, and prohibited firearms cannot be acquired at all.
What happened to the October 30, 2026, amnesty deadline?
It was extended. In June 2026, the government tied the amnesty’s expiry to the Supreme Court of Canada’s upcoming ruling on the 2020 ban: it now ends 90 days after the decision, expected in 2027. Owners of prohibited firearms must still dispose of or deactivate them before the amnesty ends to avoid criminal liability.
What if I didn’t declare my banned firearm in the buyback program?
The declaration window closed on March 31, 2026, so compensation is generally no longer available, but the legal obligation remains. You must dispose of, surrender, or permanently deactivate the firearm before the amnesty expires, or you risk prosecution for possession of a prohibited firearm. Speak to a lawyer before contacting police about surrendering a firearm.
Can I go to jail for improperly storing my gun?
Yes. Improper storage is a criminal offence even where no one was endangered, with a maximum of up to five years on indictment. It can also cost you your licence and your firearms.
When should I contact a firearms defence lawyer?
Before making any statement to police, ideally, the moment you learn you are under investigation. Licensing status, classification, amnesty coverage, and Charter issues need to be assessed before they are foreclosed.
