Buying and selling (transferring) firearms

General information

In Canada, a firearm may only be transferred to

• an adult (18 or older) with a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) that is valid for that class of firearm
• a business, museum, or other organization with a firearms business licence
• a public service agency (e.g., a police force, a police academy or certain government departments or agencies)

Businesses, including auctioneers that sell firearms, need to have a firearms licence for businesses valid for all types of firearms (non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited) they sell.

If you are an executor of an estate with firearms, or an heir of a firearm, please see the Executors and heirs page.

Transferring a firearm

1. Non-restricted Firearms

   You do not need to register non-restricted firearms, but the transferor (seller) must obtain confirmation of the validity of the transferee's (buyer's) firearms licence, prior to the transfer of a non-restricted firearm.

   The transfer of a non-restricted firearm may take place only after a reference number has been issued. The reference number is valid for a period of ninety (90) days or for the remaining period of validity of the transferee's (buyer's) licence. If a reference number expires before the physical transfer of the firearm, a new reference number must be requested.

   1. Online: The licence verification process can be initiated online by the transferor (seller) through the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portals.

      1. The transferor (seller) will be required to provide the following information:

         1. the transferee's (buyer's) licence number, date of birth, and email address
         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request

         The transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment.

         The transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.

      2. If a reference number can be issued, both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will receive a message in the portal message centre. In addition, the reference number and expiry date will appear on the screen moments after the completed request is submitted.

      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information. In addition, a message will be sent to both the transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) through the portal message centre identifying that the reference number cannot be issued.

   2. Telephone: Contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 (within Canada and the United States) and at 1-506-624-6626 (outside of Canada and the United States).

      1. The transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the CFP:

         1. the transferee's (buyer's) licence number, date of birth, and email address

         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request

            the transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment.

            the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.

      2. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, if a reference number is issued.
      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.

2. Restricted and Prohibited Firearms

   1. Telephone: Contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 (within Canada and the United States) and at 1-506-624-6626 (outside of Canada and the United States).

      The CFP must speak with both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) for the transfer of restricted and prohibited firearms. However, both parties do not need to be available at the same time. Follow the steps below.

      1. The following information must be provided to the CFP:

         1. if you are an individual transferor (seller) you will need to provide your full name, address and firearms licence number, and the transferee's (buyer's) full name and PAL number
         2. if you are a business transferor (seller) you will need to provide your business licence and business identification number, and the transferee's (buyer's) full name, address and firearms licence number
         3. if you are an individual transferee (buyer) you will need to provide your firearms licence number, full name and address, and the transferor's (seller's) full name and firearms licence number
         4. if you are a business transferee (buyer) you will need to provide your business licence and business identification number, and the transferor's (seller's) full name, address and firearms licence number
         5. if you initiate the transfer you will need to provide the registration certificate number and confirm the firearm information (make, model, serial number, firearms identification number, etc.)
      2. When you call the CFP, you will be provided with a transfer number. Make sure the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) have that transfer number
      3. The CFO for the jurisdiction receives the request and will review the transfer to make sure that the transferee (buyer) is acquiring the restricted firearm or prohibited handgun for one of the permitted purposes (Firearms Act, Section 28)
      4. Both the transferor and the transferee will receive a confirmation notice to let them know the transfer is complete. After a transfer is approved the new registration certificate will be mailed to the new owner within a few weeks

   2. Online (business transfers only)

      The business initiates the transfer, identifies either the transferee (buyer) or transferor (seller), and obtains the required information in order to complete the transfer.

      A business can use this service to transfer restricted or prohibited firearms if:

      • a business buys from, or sells to, an adult who is 18 or older who has a valid PAL for that class of firearm
      • a business buys from, or sells to, another business or museum
      • a business sells to a public service agency

   3. Mail

      Use form RCMP 5492 for restricted and prohibited firearms. Both the transferor and the transferee must complete the form.

Date modified:

2022-06-17