Businesses Allowed to Mail Prohibited Assault-Style Firearms

Summary#

These are final rules (SOR/2025-209) that change the Shipment by Post of Certain Prohibited Firearms and Prohibited Devices by Certain Businesses Regulations. They let certain businesses ship newly prohibited assault-style firearms by post to designated recipients for destruction under the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. The rules came into force on October 10, 2025.

What it does#

• Extends the existing post-shipping rule that applied to the 2020 amnesty to also cover businesses protected under the Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2024) and the Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2025).
• Removes the old standalone definition of “specified firearm” and instead uses the definitions set out in each amnesty order.
• Sets conditions a business must meet to mail a specified firearm:
  • the business must have an agreement with the Government of Canada for destruction of the firearm;
  • the recipient must be a person or organization listed in the relevant amnesty order;
  • the firearm must be sent by the most secure postal service option and require a signature on delivery;
  • the firearm must be unloaded, made inoperable with a secure locking device, and packaged in an opaque, strong container that has no ammunition inside and no external markings that identify it as a weapon.
• Bars shipping by post of prohibited firearms that are also controlled goods listed in item 2-2 of the export control list.
• Clarifies that the Storage, Display and Transportation of Firearms and Other Weapons by Businesses Regulations do not apply while an authorized shipment is in the course of transmission by post (from posting until delivery or return).

Who's affected#

• Licensed businesses that are protected under the Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2020), the Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2024), or the Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2025).
• Canada Post, which may handle more of these shipments if businesses choose to use postal services instead of licensed carriers.
• The Government of Canada offices or contractors that receive firearms for destruction.
• It is unclear from the text that individuals (people who are not businesses) gain the same mailing option; the changes are written for businesses covered by the amnesty orders.

Why it matters#

• It gives eligible businesses an extra, simpler way to send newly prohibited assault-style firearms for destruction and to receive compensation. That can be important for small or rural businesses that have trouble arranging licensed carrier pickup.
• The change keeps the three amnesty groups treated the same, avoiding a two-tier process for businesses covered by different amnesty dates.
• There are clear safety and packaging rules to reduce the risk of loss or misuse during transit.
• The government expects only a small increase in postal demand; during the earlier collection phase about 30% of participating businesses used the post option.
• If a business does not follow the new conditions, it can face criminal or regulatory penalties.