Canadian Firearms Glossary

Plain-English Canadian firearms definitions: PAL, RPAL, CFO, ATT, FRT, non-restricted, restricted, prohibited, transfers, storage, and amnesty.

Last verified: May 19, 2026

This glossary explains common Canadian firearms terms in plain language. It is a reference page, not legal advice. For a specific legal situation, check the current law, official RCMP Canadian Firearms Program material, Public Safety Canada pages, and qualified advice.

PAL

PAL means Possession and Acquisition Licence. The RCMP says the PAL is the only firearms licence currently available to new adult applicants. It is the licence that lets a person possess and acquire firearms in the classes listed on that licence.

RPAL

RPAL is the common shorthand shooters use for a PAL with restricted privileges. The card is still a Possession and Acquisition Licence, but it includes restricted privileges when the holder has met the required training and eligibility requirements.

Non-Restricted Firearm

A non-restricted firearm is the class of firearm that is neither restricted nor prohibited. In ordinary range language, this often means many common rifles and shotguns, but classification depends on the Criminal Code, regulations, and the firearm's specific characteristics.

Restricted Firearm

Restricted firearms are a separate legal class. They generally require registration, and they have stricter transfer, storage, transport, and use rules than non-restricted firearms. Handguns are now subject to additional transfer limits and exemptions.

Prohibited Firearm

Prohibited firearms are the most restricted class. The RCMP and Public Safety Canada source pages should be checked before making assumptions, because prohibited status can come from the Criminal Code, regulations, specific named models, variants, barrel length, conversion, or other legal criteria.

Registration Certificate

A registration certificate identifies a firearm and links it to its owner. The RCMP says restricted and prohibited firearms need registration certificates.

Reference Number

For non-restricted transfers, the seller or transferor must obtain confirmation from the Registrar that the buyer has a valid firearms licence for that class. The RCMP describes this as requesting a reference number before the transfer takes place.

Transfer

A transfer is a sale, gift, trade, or other change of ownership or possession under the firearms rules. Non-restricted transfers and restricted/prohibited transfers are handled differently. Restricted and prohibited transfers involve registration record updates and transfer approval before the firearm changes hands.

CFO

CFO means Chief Firearms Officer. CFO offices handle provincial or territorial firearms-administration decisions and contacts, including some authorization and transfer matters. The RCMP maintains a current CFO contact page.

ATT

ATT means Authorization to Transport. The RCMP says non-restricted firearms do not need an ATT when transported by the licensed owner. Restricted and prohibited firearms can require an ATT from the provincial or territorial CFO for transport outside the automatic exceptions described by the RCMP.

ATC

ATC means Authorization to Carry. It is separate from an ATT. The RCMP describes ATC use as limited, including wilderness protection and lawful occupational purposes in specific circumstances.

FRT

FRT means Firearms Reference Table. It is the RCMP reference system used in classification work. For readers, the practical point is this: the FRT can reflect a firearm's classification, but the legal basis comes from the Criminal Code and regulations.

Classification Regulations

Classification Regulations is a common shorthand for the federal regulations that prescribe certain firearms, weapons, components, accessories, cartridge magazines, ammunition, and projectiles as prohibited, restricted, or non-restricted.

Order In Council

Order in Council, or OIC, is a federal Cabinet legal instrument. Canadian firearms owners often use the term when discussing the May 2020, December 2024, and March 2025 federal prohibition changes.

Amnesty Order

An Amnesty Order can temporarily protect people from criminal liability for possession while a legal transition period is in effect. Public Safety Canada currently points to the October 30, 2026 amnesty date in the assault-style firearms compensation program context.

Deactivation

Deactivation means making a firearm permanently unable to discharge ammunition. In the compensation-program context, Public Safety Canada distinguishes deactivation, turn-in, validation, and compensation steps. Do not assume a personal deactivation choice qualifies for compensation unless the current program rules say so.

Safe Storage

Safe storage means storing firearms unloaded and secured according to their class. The RCMP gives different storage rules for non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited firearms.

Transport

Transport means moving a firearm from one place to another. The RCMP gives different transport rules for non-restricted firearms and for restricted or prohibited firearms, including lock, container, route, and authorization requirements.

Display

Display means showing a firearm rather than simply storing it. The RCMP gives separate display rules for non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited firearms, including ammunition-access and locking requirements.

Handgun Transfer Freeze

The handgun transfer freeze is the common name for the current limits on handgun transfers and imports for individuals, with narrow exemptions. The RCMP's current handgun-transfer page should be checked before relying on any summary.

ASFCP

ASFCP means Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. Public Safety Canada uses the term for the federal program connected to the prohibition and compensation process for affected firearms.

Official Sources

Keep the source trail in one place.

If this page has you checking policy claims, keep the source trail tidy before the next update changes the page.

Use the Holdover Canadian Firearms Policy Source Tracker to record the current Public Safety, RCMP, Canada Gazette, and Justice source pages behind buyback, OIC, classification, compensation, and amnesty claims.

Safety note: the tracker is a worksheet for source hygiene, not legal advice or a substitute for current official guidance.

Get the tracker through The Dispatch

Check the source before relying on memory.

If this page has you thinking about storage, transport, display, an unattended vehicle, an ATT, or shipping by post, keep the source trail beside the question.

Use the Holdover Canadian Firearms Storage And Transport Checklist to record firearm class, activity, official source URL, page date, regulation section, checked date, and the open question you still need to verify.

Safety note: the checklist is a source-check worksheet, not legal advice, storage instruction, transport permission, or a substitute for current RCMP/CFP/CFO guidance, Justice Laws, or qualified advice.

Get the checklist through The Dispatch