Bill to Abolish Long-Gun Registry

Updated: 12/23/08

The Bill to Abolish the Long-Gun Registry would free Canadians from the requirement to register non-restricted firearms (hunting rifles and shotguns). Some legal requirements would remain in place for the owners of non-restricted firearms. Also, the gun registry would remain in place for restricted and prohibited firearms.

Originally tabled on June 19, 2006, but died on the order paper. The Bill to Abolish the Long-Gun Registry was re-introduced on November 16, 2007 and again died on the order paper.

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (non-registration of firearms that are neither prohibited nor restricted)

Minister of Public Safety

The bill did not get farther than first reading when it was first introduced. It was re-introduced in the next session of parliament and received first reading on November 16, 2007.

Text of Bill to Abolish Long-Gun Registry (at first reading)

This bill would repeal the requirement for Canadian owners of long guns to register hunting rifles and shotguns.

Although owners would not have to register their long guns, other legal requirements would stay in place:

• long-gun owners would require a valid firearms license to purchase or possess firearms and to purchase ammunition

• long-gun owners would be required to go through police safety checks

• long-gun owners would still be required to pass safety training

• current owners would be required to verify that a potential purchaser or another new owner of their non-restricted firearm has a valid firearms license by contacting the Chief Firearms Officer.

Individuals would continue to be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns.

A one-year amnesty for long-gun owners was put in place until May 17, 2007 and then extended until May 17, 2008 to protect some long-gun owners from prosecution of offences related to not registering long guns.