Since 2004, the number of restricted guns existing in Canada has doubled. While some believe that the rising rates are due to the popularity and increased marketing of guns in the United States, others fear that some individuals are purchasing restricted guns for protection purposes.

The exact numbers, according to the CBC, are as follows:

“The number of restricted guns in Canada shot up 9.5 per cent last year, bringing the number of restricted firearms registered across the country to its highest point in more than a decade.

Since 2004, the number of restricted firearms such as semi-automatic rifles and handguns in Canada has doubled.

According to the latest report of Canada’s Commissioner of Firearms, there were 795,854 restricted firearms registered to Canadian owners in 2015 compared with 384,888 in 2004.

The sharpest increase in 2015 was in Ontario, where the number of restricted firearms rose 14.8 per cent to 294,838. Ontario had nearly twice as many restricted guns as Alberta, where the total rose 7.9 per cent to 162,403. Ontario has about 12.8 million residents, to Alberta’s 3.6 million.

The third largest number of restricted firearms was in British Columbia, where a 6.2 per cent rise brought the number to 144,725.

Increases in other provinces varied across the country:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador, 11 per cent
  • Nova Scotia, 4.5 per cent
  • Prince Edward Island, 4.3 per cent
  • New Brunswick, 5.7 per cent
  • Quebec, 7.7 per cent
  • Manitoba, 3.4 per cent
  • Saskatchewan, 6.9 per cent
  • Yukon, 7 per cent
  • Northwest Territories, 5.9 per cent
  • Nunavut, 11.5 per cent

At the same time the number of prohibited firearms in Canada declined by 1.78 per cent.”

Furthermore, Tony Bernardo of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association noted to the CBC that an increase in the number of legal, restricted firearms has affected the popularity of target shooting in the country.

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“These firearms are used exclusively as target firearms by Canadians. In fact, they may only be discharged on a licensed range, despite the suitability of many restricted firearms for hunting purposes.”

Bernardo said the decrease in prohibited firearms is due to the government’s decision in 1993 to freeze the number of prohibited firearms in Canada.

“The existing owners were grandfathered, grandfathering being a form of deferred confiscation. As the owners of the legal firearms age, reduction by attrition is inevitable.” “

If you or a loved one are involved in a legal issue surrounding the possession of a restricted firearm, contact us today at Caprara barristers for a consultation regarding your case.