NOTICE TO INDIVIDUAL FIREARMS OWNERS
ASSAULT-STYLE FIREARMS COMPENSATION PROGRAM (ASFCP)
The Canadian Firearms Program facilitated the delivery of this notification on behalf of Public Safety Canada and has not shared or disclosed any licence holder names, addresses or personal information with Public Safety Canada. Please ensure that your email is up-to-date with the Canadian Firearms Program to receive direct program updates. Alternatively, updates will be available at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/firearms-buyback.html
This notice is being sent to all holders of a valid Possession and Acquisition License (PAL).
As part of various actions and programs to tackle gun violence in Canadian communities, beginning in May 2020 the Government of Canada deemed prohibited more than 2,500 makes and models of firearms. Should you own one of these prohibited firearms, thank you for safely storing and not using that prohibited firearm.
In prohibiting these particular firearms, such as the AR-15, the Government of Canada also committed to compensate eligible businesses and PAL holders who are impacted.
The purpose of this notice is to provide you with the opportunity to be compensated should you own one or more of these prohibited firearms.
Over 12,000 of these prohibited firearms were successfully collected from businesses from across Canada. More than $22 million in compensation has been provided to these businesses.
To determine if you own a prohibited firearm, please search the list of 2,500 makes and models. The list is available at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/firearms-buyback.html
If you do not own one of these prohibited firearms, you do not need to do anything more.
If you do own one of these prohibited firearms, and you wish to participate in the ASFCP and apply for compensation, you must first declare the prohibited firearm(s) in your possession.
You may do so during the nation-wide declaration period, which begins on January 19th, 2026, and ends on March 31st, 2026. After March 31st, 2026, declaration requests will no longer be processed.
To complete the declaration or for more information about the ASFCP, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/firearms-buyback.html
It is important to note that an amnesty has been in place since 2020. This amnesty ensures every impacted PAL holder can hold onto the prohibited firearms until the end of the amnesty.
This amnesty is scheduled to end on October 30th, 2026.
All prohibited firearms and devices must be disposed of or permanently deactivated prior to that date. If you remain in possession of an impacted firearm following this date, you will be noncompliant with legislation.
Thank you for your continued commitment to safe firearms practices and compliance with all firearms rules and regulations.
Additional Information for the ASSAULT-STYLE FIREARMS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Compensation will be determined primarily on a first come first served basis, based on the date your declaration is submitted and the availability of Program funds at that time. To increase your likelihood of receiving compensation, pending eligibility, you are encouraged to submit your declaration as early as possible. Submitting a declaration does not guarantee you will receive compensation.
To complete the declaration or for more information about the ASFCP, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/firearms-buyback.html
This webpage also contains information on: the list of eligible Assault-Style Firearms (ASFs) and their compensation amounts; other options for compliance with the prohibitions; and the Amnesty Orders.
Firearms owners in Saskatchewan or Alberta should consult their provincial authorities for any additional laws or regulations that may impact participation in the ASFCP.
Should you require further assistance, or a paper declaration to apply by mail, or if you would like to receive information in Indigenous languages (Mohawk, Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Inuktut (South Baffin), Cree, Algonquin, Dene, or Mi’kmaq), please contact the ASFCP Contact Centre at 1-833-759-4551.
Reminder: while the compensation program is voluntary, compliance with the law is not. Impacted firearms and devices must be disposed of, or deactivated by the end of the amnesty period on October 30th, 2026.
If you do not wish to return your firearm under the Program, alternative options are available to you before the amnesty period expires on October 30th, 2026:
- Having the firearm deactivated at your own expense by a licensed business authorized to perform deactivations. Procedures for this option are available at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/firearms-buyback.html
- Arranging with your local police to hand-in your firearm – there will be no compensation provided.
