Canadian Firearms Storage And Transport Source Map

A source-first map of the Canadian storage, transport, display, ATT, and SOR/98-209 references individual owners should have open before making a claim.

Reference page

Open the source before relying on memory.

Use this page as the short trail from plain-language RCMP guidance to the regulation text for storage, transport, display, unattended vehicles, ATT questions, and shipping by post.

Boundary This is a source map, not a personalized storage opinion, transport route plan, legal advice, or substitute for current RCMP/CFP/CFO guidance and the current law.
Step 1

Start with the RCMP overview.

Use it for the plain-language frame and class-by-class route into the problem.

Step 2

Open SOR/98-209.

Use the regulation for the exact individual storage, display, transport, handling, and post rules.

Step 3

Add the ATT page when movement is the issue.

Use it to separate transport permission from transport conditions.

The Short Version

For individual owners, start with two source layers.

The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program page on storing, transporting, and displaying firearms is the plain-language entry point. It separates storage, transport, display, unattended vehicle handling, ammunition access, and firearm classes.

The primary regulation is the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations, usually cited as SOR/98-209. Justice Laws lists that regulation as current to March 17, 2026 and last amended on November 30, 2012, as checked on May 20, 2026.

If the question involves restricted or prohibited firearms moving somewhere by personal transport, also open the RCMP Authorization to Transport page.

Which Source Answers Which Question?

Source Router

Ordinary storage, transport, and display

RCMP storage/transport/display page

Use this as the plain-language CFP entry point for individual owners before opening the regulation.

The actual individual regulation

SOR/98-209 on Justice Laws

Use this for the federal storage, display, transportation, handling, and post rules for individuals.

Non-restricted firearm ATT questions

RCMP Authorization to Transport

Use this for the RCMP's ATT distinction: non-restricted firearms transported personally do not need one.

Restricted or prohibited transport

RCMP ATT page + SOR/98-209

Use both layers. The ATT page answers permission; the regulation sets transport conditions.

Firearms left in a vehicle

RCMP page + SOR/98-209 section 10

Use these for the unattended-vehicle source trail, especially trunk, visibility, and locked-compartment questions.

Shipping by post

RCMP ATT page + SOR/98-209 section 16

Use these for the Canada Post route, signature requirement, and which firearm classes are covered.

Read the cards left to right: question, first source to open, and why that source belongs in the trail.

Check the source before relying on memory.

Use this beside the source map so storage, transport, display, ATT, unattended-vehicle, and post questions do not become memory work.

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

Storage

The RCMP public page starts with the same plain idea across classes: firearms are unloaded and secured, and ammunition is stored separately or locked up. The details change by class.

For non-restricted firearms, the RCMP overview points to either a secure locking device, such as a trigger lock or cable lock, or locking the firearm in a cabinet, container, or room that is difficult to break into.

For restricted and prohibited firearms, the RCMP overview points to both a secure locking device and a locked cabinet, container, or room, or storage in a vault, safe, or room built or modified for secure firearm storage. Automatic firearms have additional bolt or bolt-carrier language where removable.

For exact wording, go to SOR/98-209 sections 5, 6, and 7.

Transport

The RCMP overview says non-restricted firearms must be unloaded during transportation. SOR/98-209 section 10 is the primary regulation section for non-restricted transport, including the unattended-vehicle rules.

For restricted and prohibited firearms, the RCMP overview points to unloaded firearms, secure locking devices, locked sturdy non-transparent containers, automatic-firearm bolt or bolt-carrier handling where removable, and an Authorization to Transport.

The ATT page matters because transport permission and transport condition are not the same question. The RCMP says a person personally transporting non-restricted firearms does not need an ATT. For restricted or prohibited firearms, the RCMP says owners may need an Authorization to Transport from the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer outside the listed automatic destinations.

For exact wording, open the RCMP ATT page and SOR/98-209 sections 10, 11, and 12.

Display

Display is easy to confuse with storage because both involve locks, access, and ammunition. The RCMP overview separates display into home display rules and notes that away-from-home display, such as at a gun show, may involve different rules.

For non-restricted firearms, the RCMP overview points to unloaded firearms with secure locking devices or locked storage-style containment, and no ammunition displayed with or readily accessible to the firearm.

For restricted and prohibited firearms, the RCMP overview points to unloaded firearms, secure locking devices, secure attachment to something that cannot be moved, and the same ammunition-access issue. Automatic firearms again carry extra bolt or bolt-carrier language where removable.

For exact wording, use SOR/98-209 sections 8 and 9.

Handling And Post

SOR/98-209 section 15 addresses loading or handling a loaded firearm only in a place where the firearm may be discharged under applicable federal, provincial, regulatory, and municipal rules.

SOR/98-209 section 16 addresses when an individual may ship a firearm by post. The RCMP ATT page also summarizes the Canada Post route for non-restricted firearms, restricted firearms, and prohibited handguns, and says other prohibited firearms or cross-border firearms must be shipped by an individual or licensed carrier company.

Why This Page Exists

This is the boring page that prevents bad arguments. Boring is underrated.

If a forum post, news story, club note, or political claim says "the storage rules are simple," the proper answer is usually: simple compared with what? Non-restricted, restricted, prohibited, antique, replica, unattended vehicle, display, transport, or post?

The useful move is not to recite the rule from memory. It is to open the source that matches the question.

Local Source Table

Holdover maintains the working source table for this page at Data/canadian-firearms-storage-transport-source-map-current.csv.

Related references

Official Sources

Source-led reference pages for the terms and policy context behind this piece.