For families, executors and firearms owners
Unwanted Firearms
If you have inherited firearms you do not want, or you are settling an estate, there is more than one lawful way to deal with them. One of those ways keeps them in use, teaching people to handle firearms safely. Here are the options, and what we can offer.
You do not have to destroy them
People often assume the only route is to hand firearms in for destruction. In Canada there are several lawful options, and destruction is only one of them. Which one suits you depends on what the firearms are, who is entitled to hold them, and what you would like to see happen.
Transfer to a licensed person or business
Firearms can be transferred to an adult (18 or older) with a PAL valid for that class of firearm, or to a business, museum or other organization with a firearms business licence. The RCMP sets out the transfer rules.
Donate to a museum
Historically significant firearms may be accepted by a museum that is authorized to hold them.
Permanent deactivation
A gunsmith at a business authorized by the Canadian Firearms Program can deactivate a firearm so that it is no longer a firearm under the Criminal Code. It can then be kept, displayed or used as a training aid. The RCMP lists the businesses authorized to perform deactivations.
Keep them in training
Licensed instructors can take firearms and use them to teach the next group of students. This is the option the rest of this page is about.
Handing firearms to police or to a firearms officer for destruction is always available and costs nothing. It is one option, not the only one.
The training option
What a training legacy looks like
Every CFSC and CRFSC class runs on firearms that students can handle. Students learn to check a chamber, load and unload safely, and carry a firearm properly. Those skills need real firearms in their hands, not pictures of them.
Training providers need enough firearms that every student gets repeated practice. Classroom firearms are often permanently deactivated first, so they can never be fired and can be handled all day.
A firearm used in class is handled by every student in every course that follows. For a family clearing an estate, that is a different ending from destruction: the firearm keeps doing the job it was made for, being handled safely, without ever being fired at anything.
Reasonable conditions can be attached to a donation; for example, that a firearm is used for training and is not resold.
Damaged, rusted or incomplete firearms are sometimes useful as teaching aids. Ask before discarding anything.
Settling an estate
If you are the executor
An executor can hold firearms that are part of an estate while the estate is being settled, even without a firearms licence, unless a court has prohibited you from possessing firearms.
To act for the estate you provide the RCMP with a Declaration of Authority to Act on Behalf of an Estate (form RCMP 6016), plus a death certificate, letters of probate, or a document from a police department or coroner confirming the death.
You are responsible for transferring each firearm to a properly licensed person or business, or disposing of it lawfully, within a reasonable time, and for keeping it safely stored until then.
Beneficiaries must be 18 or older and hold a PAL with the right privileges for the firearm.
Handguns cannot normally be transferred to an individual. In an estate they can go to a licensed business or museum, be exported, be permanently deactivated, or be surrendered.
If there is no eligible beneficiary, a licensed business is one of the lawful destinations.
Read the RCMP guidance for transfer of firearms from estates, or download form RCMP 6016. The Canadian Firearms Program can be reached at 1-800-731-4000.
If you inherited firearms and do not want them
You do not have to keep them in order to respect the person who owned them. What matters now is that they are handled lawfully and, where possible, put to some use.
If you hold a PAL, you can transfer them to another licensed person, including us, in line with the class of licence involved.
If you do not hold a PAL, you cannot take them home and decide later. The estate transfers them directly to the licensed recipient.
Restricted firearms and handguns carry extra rules. Check before anything is moved.
Ammunition, powder, primers, components, reloading equipment and other firearms-related equipment can be handled as part of the same arrangement.
If you are not sure which situation you are in, contact us before moving anything. We can act as a single point of contact for the firearms and the equipment that goes with them.
What we can take, and what happens next
1
We come to you first. Tell us what you have, roughly how many, where it is stored, and whether an estate is involved. We prefer to visit the current holder and talk it through in person. If you are unsure of the classification of the firearms, we can help with that too.
2
We confirm what we can lawfully accept. That means non-restricted and restricted firearms, in line with the licence we hold. Prohibited firearms cannot be used for training, but we can help find a lawful buyer.
3
We tell you what the firearms are worth, and ask what you would prefer. Before anything is agreed you will know their value, and whether we can offer to buy them, arrange a sale, or take them as a donation. We would not ask you to donate without knowing that.
4
The transfer is recorded before anything changes hands. We will tell you which forms apply to your situation.
5
The firearms go where they are most useful. Donated firearms we can use go into training, under a no-resale agreement if you want one. Anything unsuitable for training is discussed with you first, and may be worth something to a collector.
6
We take care of the rest. Ammunition, powder, primers, components, reloading equipment and other firearms-related equipment can all be part of the same arrangement, and we cover the costs.
If what you have is not something we can take, we will say so and point you to another lawful option rather than leave you guessing. Overall this is a solution with more advantages than simply handing firearms over for destruction: value is realised, the equipment is dealt with, and the firearms that can be used keep teaching.
Common questions
Do I need a firearms licence to donate?
The recipient needs the licence, not the person donating. If the firearms are yours and you do not hold a licence, talk to us before anything moves; if you are acting for an estate, you act under the estate's authority.
Can you take handguns?
Yes. Handguns and restricted firearms can be permanently deactivated, and we arrange that with a business authorized by the Canadian Firearms Program. Where a firearm can be lawfully transferred instead, we will tell you.
Can I say what happens to them?
Yes. For donated firearms we are happy to agree a no-resale policy, provided we can use them in training. Reasonable conditions can be put in writing.
What about ammunition and accessories?
Yes. Ammunition, powder, primers, components and reloading equipment can all be included. We prefer to visit and discuss what you have before anything is agreed.
Do the firearms need to work?
No. Damaged, incomplete or already-deactivated firearms can still serve as handling aids. Anything unsuitable for training is discussed with you first.
Is there a cost?
There is no cost to you. We cover the costs of transfer and deactivation. In some cases we can offer market value for firearms, or arrange disposal by sale.
How long does it take?
It depends on what types of firearms are held, but we will tell you what to expect before anything is committed.
Will you sell them?
Donated firearms we can use stay in training, under a no-resale agreement if you want one. Many firearms are unsuitable for training and may be worth a small amount to collectors; that is discussed with you before anything is agreed.
Do you come to us?
Yes. We prefer to visit the current holder and talk through the options directly.
What about prohibited firearms?
They cannot be used for training, but we can help you find a lawful buyer.