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Part of Firearms services

Transfer a firearm

How to transfer a non-restricted or restricted firearm between owners.

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Firearms services

  • Federal buyback program clarification – December 15, 2022

    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.

  • Firearms sales and transfers – October 21, 2022

    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. Specific details pertaining to handgun regulations can be found at the RCMP website – Recent changes in handgun regulations.

    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:

Overview

Firearm owners can transfer their firearms to another owner (for example, through a sale or as a gift). The process depends on whether the firearm is a non-restricted or restricted firearm.

The person transferring the firearm is known as the transferor or seller. The person receiving the firearm is known as the transferee or buyer.

Eligibility

A firearm can 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

Businesses need to have a valid business firearms licence for all types of firearms they sell.

Non-restricted firearms

You do not need to register non-restricted firearms to transfer them. However, the transferor (seller) must confirm that the transferee's (buyer's) firearms licence is valid 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:

  • 90 days, or
  • 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.

The transferor (seller) can start the licence verification process:

Logging into Individual Web Services

Ensure your email, mailing and residential address are up to date on Individual Web Services to eliminate any issues with transfers. If your place of birth is incorrect on your licence you must contact 1-800-731-4000 to have it corrected.

  1. Go to Individual Web Services
  2. Choose a sign secure sign-in method by using your bank information or using GCKey.
  3. The following information is required from the seller:
    • licence number
    • last name
    • date of birth
    • place of birth (city)
  4. The following information is required from the buyer:
    • licence number
    • date of birth
    • email address

The buyer's email address must be the one CFP has on file in CFIS.

Restricted and prohibited firearms

To transfer a restricted or prohibited firearms, both the transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) must either:

For more details visit CFP - Buying and selling (transferring) firearms.

Contact

To reduce delays, ensure you include your PAL number or application number, full name and date of birth when you email [email protected].

Connect with Alberta’s Chief Firearms Office:

Email: [email protected]

Address:
Alberta Chief Firearms Office
PO Box 458, Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2K1

Related

Previous Firearms safety training and instructors