Table 1:

Major pieces of firearms legislation in Canada5

Bill	Description	Relevant dates
C-51	Mandatory FACs required criminal record checks of all firearm purchasers and record-keeping systems New definitions for prohibited and restricted firearms Mandatory minimum sentences (1–14 yr consecutive sentence for use of firearm to commit indictable offence) and increased penalties for firearm homicides Granted search and seizure powers	Aug. 5, 1977: Bill received royal assent Jan. 1, 1978: All provisions came into effect except requirements for FACs Jan. 1, 1979: Requirements for FACs came into effect
C-17	Changes to the FAC system: Expanded application form and screening check Required psychological questionnaire, photo identification, 2 references, spousal endorsement, 28-day waiting period, safety training New definitions for prohibited and restricted weapons New prohibitions and restrictions on many military and high-firepower guns and ammunition New Criminal Code offences and increased penalties for firearm-related crimes Clearly defined regulations for safe storage, handling and transportation of firearms	Dec. 5, 1991: Bill received royal assent 1992–1994: All provisions came into effect Jan. 1, 1994: Requirements for FAC applicant safety training and psychological questionnaire completion came into effect
C-68	Creation of the Firearms Act, to take administrative and regulatory aspects of the licensing and registration system out of the Criminal Code FAC system replaced with 2 new licensing systems (POLs and PALs), which required expanded screening of applicants Registration of all firearms, including shotguns and rifles Increased penalties for certain serious crimes using firearms Authorization requirement for transportation of restricted or prohibited firearms	Dec. 5, 1995: Bill received royal assent January 1996: Provisions requiring increased penalties for serious firearms crimes came into effect Dec. 1, 1998: The Firearms Act came into effect March 1998: Government passed the Firearms Act regulations Jan. 1, 2001: Requirements for POLs/PALs came into effect Jan. 1, 2003: Requirements for registration of all firearms including nonrestricted rifles and shotguns came into effect

Bill

Description

Relevant dates

C-51

Mandatory FACs required criminal record checks of all firearm purchasers and record-keeping systems
New definitions for prohibited and restricted firearms
Mandatory minimum sentences (1–14 yr consecutive sentence for use of firearm to commit indictable offence) and increased penalties for firearm homicides
Granted search and seizure powers

Aug. 5, 1977: Bill received royal assent
Jan. 1, 1978: All provisions came into effect except requirements for FACs
Jan. 1, 1979: Requirements for FACs came into effect

C-17

Changes to the FAC system:
Expanded application form and screening check
Required psychological questionnaire, photo identification, 2 references, spousal endorsement, 28-day waiting period, safety training
New definitions for prohibited and restricted weapons
New prohibitions and restrictions on many military and high-firepower guns and ammunition
New Criminal Code offences and increased penalties for firearm-related crimes
Clearly defined regulations for safe storage, handling and transportation of firearms

Dec. 5, 1991: Bill received royal assent
1992–1994: All provisions came into effect
Jan. 1, 1994: Requirements for FAC applicant safety training and psychological questionnaire completion came into effect

C-68

Creation of the Firearms Act, to take administrative and regulatory aspects of the licensing and registration system out of the Criminal Code

FAC system replaced with 2 new licensing systems (POLs and PALs), which required expanded screening of applicants
Registration of all firearms, including shotguns and rifles
Increased penalties for certain serious crimes using firearms
Authorization requirement for transportation of restricted or prohibited firearms

Dec. 5, 1995: Bill received royal assent
January 1996: Provisions requiring increased penalties for serious firearms crimes came into effect
Dec. 1, 1998: The Firearms Act came into effect
March 1998: Government passed the Firearms Act regulations
Jan. 1, 2001: Requirements for POLs/PALs came into effect
Jan. 1, 2003: Requirements for registration of all firearms including nonrestricted rifles and shotguns came into effect

Note: FAC = Firearm Acquisition Certificate, PAL = Possession and Acquisition Licence, POL = Possession Only Licence.