New 30-Day Firearms Licence Suspension

Summary#

This Order (SI/2025-23) fixes March 7, 2025 as the day parts of An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms) come into force. It brings into effect a new rule that requires a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) to temporarily suspend a firearms licence for up to 30 days when there are reasonable grounds to suspect the holder is no longer eligible.

What it does#

• Requires a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) to start a licence suspension of up to 30 days whenever they have reasonable grounds to suspect a licence holder is ineligible, unless immediate revocation is already warranted.
• While suspended, the licence holder’s authorizations to use, acquire, or import firearms are paused. The licence holder may keep possession of firearms but may not use or acquire them.
• Sets notice rules: the CFO must tell the licence holder why the suspension occurred, what information was relied on, and the length of the suspension. The CFO can withhold details if giving them would endanger someone.
• Clarifies that suspensions cannot be extended beyond 30 days, though a new suspension can be issued later if fresh information appears.
• Distinguishes suspension from revocation: licences are revoked when there are already grounds (for example, a prohibition order).
• Implements related changes to the Firearms Licences Regulations and requires the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)’s Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) to update administrative and IT systems to operate the regime.

Who's affected#

• Individual firearms licence holders and businesses who hold firearms licences — they can be suspended under the new rule.
• Firearms retailers and businesses that rely on licences to buy, sell, import, or handle firearms — a business under suspension cannot acquire, use, or import firearms, though some sales/export activity may continue if allowed by its licence.
• Employees of firearms businesses who need licences to perform their duties.
• Chief Firearms Officers (CFOs) and the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program (CFP), which will administer and record suspensions.
• Members of the public (family, neighbours, coworkers) who might report concerns to a CFO; the regime makes it mandatory for the CFO to act on information that meets the threshold.

Why it matters#

• The change gives authorities a short administrative tool to pause someone’s ability to use or buy firearms while eligibility is checked. That can reduce the chance of harm during an investigation.
• The suspension does not force surrender of firearms, but it does prevent their use, acquisition, or import for the suspension period — this can affect hunting, sport, business operations, or daily activities.
• The measure is time-limited (30 days) and must be ended if the CFO finds the licence holder remains eligible. It is not a criminal penalty, but non‑compliance during a suspension can lead to revocation or criminal charges in some cases.
• The new rules take effect on March 7, 2025, when the administrative and regulatory changes needed to run the system also come into force.