Firearms Classification

All firearms are classified as non-restricted, restricted or prohibited. If you are a visitor to Canada, you cannot import prohibited firearms under any circumstances. Canadian residents can not import newly acquired prohibited firearms under any circumstances.
Non-restricted firearms include:

• semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with barrels that are at least 470 mm (18.5 inches) long, and do not otherwise fall into a restricted or prohibited category; and
• single-shot or manual repeating rifles and shotguns of any length, as long as they are not designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm (26 inches) by folding, telescoping or other means.

Restricted firearms include:

• most handguns;
• semi-automatic rifles and shotguns that are capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition, have barrels between 105 mm (4.14 inches) and 470 mm (18.5 inches) long, and are not otherwise prohibited;
• firearms designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm (26 inches) by folding, telescoping or other means; and
• firearms restricted by regulations.

Prohibited firearms include:

• handguns with barrels less than or equal to 105 mm (4.14 inches) long;
• handguns designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32-calibre cartridge;
• firearms adapted from rifles or shotguns by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, that, when adapted in this way, are less than 660 mm (26 inches) long or have a barrel that is less than 457 mm (18.5 inches) long;
• automatic firearms, whether or not altered to fire in the manner of a semi-automatic firearm; and
• firearms prohibited by regulations.

On the other hand, antique firearms are not considered firearms for licensing and registration purposes. Antique firearms include:

• any firearms manufactured before 1898 that are not originally designed or redesigned to discharge rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition;
• long guns manufactured in 1898 or later that are reproductions of flintlock, wheel-lock, or matchlock firearms; and
• firearms that are classified as antique by regulations.