Firearms
MAY 2021 UPDATE
The OFAH has developed a series of resources to challenge myths with facts and help better inform the general public, media, and decision-makers about how firearms policy changes and proposals are impacting Canadians. These resources will also help firearms owners share important messages with elected officials in Ottawa, Toronto, and their local Municipal Councils. The sections cover off the following:
- Firearms Policy in Canada
- Firearm Facts: Realities of Firearms Ownership and Use in Canada
- The Facts: About Gun Violence and the Effectiveness of Firearm Bans
- OIC Firearm Prohibitions
- Bill C-21
APRIL 2021 UPDATE
The OFAH receives a number of questions each year related to the process for acquiring a firearms licence, both non-restricted and restricted. CLICK HERE to view resources that help outline the process for those interested in acquiring either or both licences.
MARCH 2021 UPDATE
Watch a recording of the members-only Q&A on firearms policy, originally hosted by OFAH on March 23.
FEBRUARY 2021 UPDATE
NEW: Preliminary OFAH backgrounder on Municipal section of Bill C-21
Federal government announces new firearms legislation (Feb. 16, 2021) — Read more here.
Additional background:
Bill C-21: https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-21/first-reading
Public Safety Explanation of Bill C-21: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/frrms/c21-en.aspx#s01
SEPTEMBER 2020 UPDATE
CLICK HERE to see the updated version of the OFAH’s Preliminary Report on Canadian use and value of non-restricted firearms prohibited under SOR/2020-96.
JULY 2020 UPDATE
CLICK HERE to read the OFAH letter to Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on the issue around the backlog of PAL renewals
JUNE 2020 Survey
Create your own user feedback survey
MAY 2020 UPDATE
CLICK HERE to read the OFAH letter to Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness regarding OFAH analysis on federal firearms ban
FIREARMS BAN FAQ — May 2020
Following the federal government announcement on May 1, 2020 that banned the purchase, sale, transport, import and use of 1,500 models, variants or modified versions of firearms in Canada, the uncertainty of exactly what all of that means has left the firearms community with many valid questions and concerns. We’ve addressed a collection of those questions here.
BREAKING NEWS — Federal government announces firearms ban — May 1, 2020
FEBRUARY 2020 UPDATE
FIREARMS: divisiveness will be our demise — written by Matt DeMille, Registered Lobbyist and OFAH manager of fish and wildlife services
Ontario OUT of DOORS — Feb, 3, 2020 — E-2341 now most signed e-petition
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR RENEW TODAY
JANUARY 2020 UPDATE
The politics of firearms — written by Matt DeMille, Registered Lobbyist and OFAH manager of fish and wildlife services
Ontario OUT of DOORS — Jan 15, 2020 — Firearms petition gaining steam
DECEMBER 2019 UPDATE
Media release — OFAH comments on government plan that targets law-abiding Canadian firearm owners
OCTOBER 2019 UPDATE
FEDERAL ELECTION REACTION — While Parliament may be divided, the outdoors community is not. Once again, Canada’s democratic process brought out the best in anglers, hunters and trappers across the nation. We commend everyone who voted in the October election. The OFAH remains focused on standing up for our core values. It’s a new government and today is a new day to think about your future as a firearms owner and the outdoors legacy that we vow to keep fighting for. Election results won’t stop the OFAH and our partners in the National Fishing and Hunting Collaborative from aggressively pursuing our national priorities.
SEPTEMBER 2019 UPDATE
The National Fishing and Hunting Collaborative is a group of non-partisan, non-profit fishing and hunting organizations that work collaboratively to provide national leadership on important conservation issues and a voice for more than 375,000 Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Read more about the NFHC and firearms policy here.
APRIL 2019 UPDATE
Public Safety Canada has released the long-awaited Engagement Summary Report on Reducing Violent Crime: A Dialogue on Handguns and Assault-Style Firearms.
READ THE SUMMARY HERE
FEBRUARY 2019 UPDATE
The OFAH met with the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, in early February 2019 to discuss firearms policy for a second time. The discussion focused on Bill C-71, handgun bans, and UN marking.
Please click here for more information on that meeting.
DECEMBER 2018 UPDATE
In late 2018, Public Safety Canada released a background document and questionnaire titled: “A dialogue on handguns and assault weapons”. Click here for the OFAH’s written submission to Public Safety Canada. The OFAH also met with the federal government — including with Minister Blair in December 2018 — to discuss the concerns of the firearms community.
OCTOBER 2018 UPDATE
Bill 30, An Act to amend the Ammunition Regulation Act, 1994 with respect to the sale of handgun ammunition (Fighting Back Against Handguns Act) was a Private Members’ Bill introduced in the Ontario Legislature that aimed to allow municipalities to pass by-laws prohibiting the sale of handgun ammunition within their boundaries. The bill was quietly defeated in early October 2018. The firearms community welcomes this decision and is appreciative of the recognition that law-abiding citizens aren’t the problem and that short-sighted feel-good policies won’t cure gun violence in this province.
Add Your Voice
Put your voice behind our efforts to achieve government action — donate today!.
For information on other issues for fish, wildlife and access click here.
For Sunday Gun Hunting information, click here.
Latest Firearm Issue Updates (Discharge, Bills, Etc)
- Bill C-21 Frequently Asked Questions Updated: May 4, 2021
- Town of Grimsby – Discharge of Firearms and Bows By-Law Updated: November 2, 2020
- OFAH letter to Minister Blair on PAL renewals Updated: August 27, 2020
- Town of Huntsville proposing new firearms by-law Updated: July 23, 2020
- RCMP’s Firearms Reference Table (FRT) Updated: June 26, 2020
- 2020 Firearms Ban Updated: May 28, 2020
- Criticisms of OFAH’s position on firearms Updated: February 14, 2020
- FIREARMS: Divisiveness will be our demise Updated: February 10, 2020
- Township of North Dumfries – Discharge of Firearms By-law Review Updated: September 9, 2019
- Bill C-71 Updated: May 29, 2019
- Dialogue on Reducing Violent Crime Updated: November 21, 2018
- Town of Kingsville Meeting – Sept. 24 – Duck blinds, waterfowl jurisdiction and Discharge of Firearms By-Law 10-2004 Updated: September 21, 2018
- City of Clarence-Rockland – Discharge of Firearms Bylaw revision Updated: August 7, 2018
- City of Thorold – Discharge of Firearms By-law Updated: December 6, 2017
- Town of Halton Hills – Discharge Bylaw Discussion Updated: November 17, 2017
- Grace period for expired firearms licence holders Updated: November 16, 2017
- Town of Kingsville – Discharge of Firearms Bylaw Review Updated: August 31, 2017
- Firearms Licences Expiry Bill C-346 Updated: April 7, 2017
- Recommendation on U.N. Firearms Marking Protocol Updated: March 29, 2017
- Town of Atikokan – Discharge of Firearms Bylaw Updated: March 2, 2017
- City of Hamilton – Discharge of Firearms Bylaw Review Updated: February 6, 2017
- Firearms Issue – Bill S-223 Updated: November 21, 2016
- RCMP Prohibition of 10/22 Magazine Updated: August 3, 2016
- Guide to Buying and Selling Firearms Online Updated: July 27, 2016
Membership Offers
Don't miss a website update!Subscribe to OFAH.org E-News
Click here for information on Sustaining Memberships.