Alberta’s Chief Firearms Office

There is a temporary target shooting ban in southern edge of Ghost Public Land Use Zone, located near Cochrane and Banff, effective August 29, 2024, until further notice.

Due to recent concerns of unsafe use of firearms, Alberta Forestry and Parks has implemented a temporary ban on target shooting on the southern edge of the Ghost Public Land Use Zone under the authority of the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Target shooting is not permitted in the closure area along TransAlta Road to increase safety for campers and commercial users in the area.

Conservation Officers, government staff and RCMP will be patrolling the area to provide guidance, education, and enforce the closure. Information kiosks along TransAlta Road and signage will also be in place to remind everyone about this change.

During the temporary ban, recreational shooting will still be allowed in other areas of the Ghost Public Land Use Zone.

Failure to follow safe firearms practices is illegal and should be reported to the RCMP or 310-LAND.

Hunting with a license, as defined by the Wildlife Act, remains permitted in the target shooting restriction area.

More information:

• Contact Alberta Forestry and Parks:
  • Phone: 780-310-LAND (5263)
• Map of the affected area
• Ghost Public Land Use Zone

On May 1, 2020, the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Justice and Public Safety announced an immediate prohibition on approximately 1,500 models of assault-style firearms and specific prohibited devices. This was accomplished through changes to the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted.

Also, at that time, the Government of Canada enacted an accompanying 2-year Amnesty Order to protect individuals who were in possession of these firearms and devices at the time that these changes came into force from criminal liability for unlawful possession, while they took reasonable steps to come into compliance with the law (for example, export the firearm or deliver it to a police officer).

On October 11, 2023, the Government of Canada announced it will extend the Amnesty Order until October 30, 2025. 
 

The ACFO has received a large number of questions around the recent announcement, on December 15, 2022, pertaining to the federal buy back program. Please note the following:

It is not legal to use the 2020 OIC prohibited firearms – nor has it been – since May 1, 2020. The protocol relates to being in possession of prohibited firearms after the Amnesty expires on October 30, 2023.

As of October 21, 2022, individuals and businesses will no longer be able to submit applications to transfer handguns through the Program’s Contact Centre or Business Web Services (BWS), when the buyer is an individual, unless the buyer belongs to one of the identified exempt groups. The Canadian Firearms Program continues to provide firearms owners with the information they need through the RCMP website.

This regulatory provision does not apply in respect of any application for the transfer of a handgun that was submitted before the entry into force of this regulatory amendment”, for example, that was submitted by midnight on the day before the new regulations entered into force which was October 21, 2022.

For further comments, concerns or questions regarding the new policy, please contact Public Safety Canada:

• by telephone for general enquiries at 1-800-830-3118
• by mail at 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0P8 or
• through Public Safety Canada’s electronic form for public enquiries