Organization : Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Facility : Buying and Selling (Transferring) Firearms
Country : Canada
Website : https://rcmp.ca/en/firearms/buying-and-selling-transferring-firearms
How To Buy and Sell Firearms in Canada?
You do not need to register non-restricted firearms. However, before transferring a non-restricted firearm, the transferor (seller) must obtain confirmation from the Registrar of Firearms that the transferee (buyer) holds, and is still eligible to hold, a firearms licence authorizing that person to acquire a non-restricted firearm. This is done by requesting a reference number.
Related / Similar Facility : RCMP Registration and Verification of Firearms
The transfer of a non-restricted firearm may take place only after a reference number has been issued. The reference number is valid for a period of ninety (90) days or for 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.
Non-restricted firearms do not need to be registered, except in Québec. Québec residents can access the Québec Firearms Registration Service online to apply for a firearm registration.
How To Request A Reference Number?
Online:
** A request for a reference number can be initiated online by the transferor (seller) through the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portals.
** The transferor (seller) must provide the following information: the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address; and a declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request. This is done:
** For in-person transfers, by comparing the photograph on the firearms licence with the person presenting the licence; or,
** For transfers that do not take place in-person, by the above method (for example, by engaging in a video call), or, if a visual comparison is not possible, by asking the buyer to provide a second piece of photo identification that has been issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government.
** If a reference number can be issued, both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will receive a message in the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portal message centre. In addition, the reference number and expiry date will appear on the screen moments after the completed request is submitted.
** If a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) to obtain more information.
** In addition, a message will be sent to both the transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) through the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portal message centre identifying that the reference number could not be issued.
By Telephone:
** A request for a reference number can be initiated by contacting the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.
** After identifying themselves and providing their own licence number, the transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the Canadian Firearms Program: the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address; and,a declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request. This is done:
** For in-person transfers, by comparing the photograph on the firearms licence with the person presenting the licence; or,
** For transfers that do not take place in-person, by the above method (for example, by engaging in a video call), or, if a visual comparison is not possible, by asking the buyer to provide a second piece of photo identification that has been issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government.
** If a reference number can be issued, both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, according to their preference.
** If a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.