How strict are gun laws in Canada?
Restrictive
Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
Canada is one of 87 countries classified “Restrictive” for civilian gun ownership — 43% of the 202 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
Nearby countries
- United States
- Varies by region Firearm laws vary significantly by state, with some requiring permits and others allowing permitless carry.
- Greenland
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Iceland
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Bahamas
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
- Mexico
- Licensed / moderate Mexico permits one handgun for home defense and long guns for sport, hunting, or collecting.
- Cuba
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
Other laws in Canada
- Death Penalty
- Fully abolished
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
- Jury Trials
- Jury trials used
Every law in Canada → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.