What Guns are Antiques in Canada?
The Canadian Criminal Code definition of an antique firearms, since
December 1, 1998, has very little to do with the dictionary definition
of an antique. For most types of firearms the critical factor is
whether or not the firearm was made prior to 1898. After the date
criteria is met the calibre of the firearm can still keep it from being
an antique under our regulations. If a gun meets the definition of an
antique, you do not need a firearms licence to possess or acquire it,
nor does the gun need to be registered. A paradox in this is that if
you have an antique that shoots cartridge ammunition, you will need a
Firearms Licence to buy the ammunition.
The firearms listed below are antique firearms for the purposes of
the definition antique firearm in subsection
84(1) of the Criminal Code. An antique used in the commission of
some criminal offences will count as a firearm for any weapons
charges.
MUZZLE LOADING RIFLES & SHOTGUNS
- A flintlock, wheel-lock or matchlock firearm, other than a
handgun, regardless of when it was manufactured.
- Any long gun manufactured before 1898 that uses percussion
caps.
RIFLES
- A rifle manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre
Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges.
- A rifle manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
centre-fire cartridges greater than 8.3 mm or .323 calibre, with
the exception of a repeating firearm fed by a magazine.
SHOTGUNS
- A shotgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre
Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges.
- A shotgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
centre-fire cartridges, other than 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 or 410 gauge
cartridges.
HANDGUNS
- A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre
Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges.
- A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging
centre-fire cartridges, other than a handgun designed or adapted to
discharge 32 Short Colt, 32 Long Colt, 32 Smith and Wesson, 32
Smith and Wesson Long, 32-20 Winchester, 38 Smith and Wesson, 38
Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38-40 Winchester, 44-40 Winchester, or 45
Colt cartridges.
- A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is a muzzle loader.
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