The Regulations Amending the Firearms Licences Regulations (Notice of Suspension) introduce modifications to the existing Firearms Licences Regulations to establish formal procedures for notifying firearms licence holders of suspensions.

These amendments align with legislative reforms introduced through former Bill C-21, which amended the Firearms Act to mandate that a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) suspend a firearms licence for up to 30 days if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the licence holder is no longer eligible. During this suspension, the individual is prohibited from using, acquiring, or importing firearms, and if they violate these restrictions, the CFO has the authority to revoke the licence. By formalizing the notification process, the amendments ensure that licence holders are adequately informed of suspensions, mitigating the risk of unintentional non-compliance that could lead to revocation.

Prior to these amendments, CFOs could only refuse or revoke a licence, meaning an individual retained all associated authorizations while the CFO assessed their eligibility. The introduction of a temporary suspension mechanism provides an intermediary measure, allowing CFOs to impose immediate restrictions while further reviewing a licence holder’s eligibility. This aims to improve public safety by preventing potential firearm misuse while an investigation is underway.

A CFO’s decision to suspend a licence must meet the evidentiary standard of “reasonable grounds to suspect”, which consists of both a subjective belief and objective evidence suggesting a credible possibility of ineligibility. Grounds for suspicion may arise from law enforcement reports, public complaints, or data from the Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS), which tracks firearm-related incidents and flags potential risks for CFOs.

During the suspension period, the individual is strictly prohibited from using, acquiring, or importing firearms. Violation of these restrictions may result in not only revocation but also criminal charges under the Criminal Code. If, upon review, the CFO determines that the licence holder remains eligible, the suspension must be lifted, and all authorizations reinstated. Conversely, if ineligibility is confirmed, the licence will be revoked. Suspensions cannot exceed 30 days, but if the CFO requires additional time for investigation, a new suspension may be issued based on newly obtained information.

The amendments also mandate that notices of suspension be provided in writing and include the reasons for suspension, supporting evidence, and relevant sections of the Firearms Act. However, the CFO has discretion to withhold any information that could compromise public safety. If a suspension is terminated before its expiration, the licence holder must receive written notification. By formalizing these notification procedures, the amendments aim to promote compliance, ensuring that licence holders are appropriately informed of suspensions and their associated restrictions.

Canada (SOR/2025-48) March 12, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.