Federal declaration period for banned firearms opens, owners have until March 31 to register
Owners of firearms newly prohibited by Ottawa can declare interest in a compensation program from today until March 31; approved claims lead to scheduled turn-ins or permanent deactivation.
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By Torontoer Staff
The federal declaration period for owners of firearms banned under Ottawa's 2020 measures opens today and runs through March 31. The program offers compensation to people who choose to turn in or permanently deactivate prohibited firearms, including models such as the AR-15.
Public Safety Canada says registered firearm licence holders will be notified about the declaration window and given instructions on how to participate. Approved declarations will be followed by invitations to finalise claims and book appointments to hand over firearms to the RCMP, local police services, or mobile collection units.
How the declaration and compensation process works
The first step is a declaration of interest submitted within the March 31 deadline. Public Safety will review declarations and approve claims based on program rules and available funding. The government says compensation will be determined primarily on a first-come, first-served basis, so timely submission matters for applicants who want to receive payment.
- Submit a declaration of interest before March 31 when you receive notice from Public Safety Canada.
- If your declaration is approved, you will be invited to finalise the claim and schedule a turn-in or deactivation appointment.
- Turn-ins can take place at RCMP detachments, participating local police services, or mobile collection events.
Deadlines and legal consequences
Prohibited firearms and related devices must be disposed of or permanently deactivated by the end of the amnesty period on Oct. 30. Officials say anyone found in possession of a banned firearm after that date could face criminal prosecution.
The deadlines are real and should be heeded.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree
Other ways to comply
Joining the compensation program is optional. The government outlines several other legal ways for owners to comply if they do not participate or if compensation is not available.
- Permanently deactivate the firearm at your own expense and keep documentation of the deactivation.
- Turn the firearm in to local police with no compensation.
- Export the firearm if you obtain an appropriate export permit.
Reactions and the political debate
The compensation program has drawn criticism from firearm rights groups and opposition politicians, who argue it targets law-abiding owners and misuses taxpayer funds. Federal Conservatives have described the plan as a poor use of public money that unfairly affects legal firearms owners.
The program is a poor use of taxpayer dollars that targets law-abiding gun owners.
Federal Conservatives
Supporters of the ban say it removes weapons they consider designed for the battlefield from civilian circulation. The government frames the measures as public safety steps taken since the 2020 prohibition of roughly 2,500 models and variants of firearms.
Practical steps for owners
If you own a firearm potentially affected by the prohibition, watch for communication from Public Safety Canada or your firearms registry contacts. The declaration window is administrative and time-limited, and following the announced steps will determine eligibility for compensation and scheduled turn-in appointments.
- Check official emails and mail from Public Safety Canada and your licensing authority.
- Read program instructions carefully before submitting a declaration.
- Keep records of any approved claim, appointment confirmations, and receipts for deactivation if you choose that route.
Anyone unsure about eligibility, documentation requirements, or the export process should contact their licensing office or Public Safety Canada for guidance rather than relying on informal advice.
Timeline at a glance
- Declaration period: opens today, closes March 31.
- Amnesty/disposal deadline: Oct. 30.
- Approved declarations: invited to finalise claims and schedule turn-ins after the spring review.
The declaration period gives owners a structured option to seek compensation while a later amnesty deadline sets a firm timeline for compliance. For now, the immediate action is to register interest before the March 31 cutoff and follow official instructions if you wish to access compensation.
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