Dear members, last week the Federal Government announced yet another sweeping change that impacts your firearms ownership. As part of Bill C-71, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told media that as of May 18th, all sellers of non-restricted firearms must ensure that the buyers of their firearms have valid licenses by validating their licenses through the Canadian Firearms Program. While it has always been against the law for someone without a license to acquire a firearm, now the onus is on sellers, including private sellers, to obtain a transfer confirmation from the registrar.
As well, the stores must maintain records of the sale for up to 20 years.
Individuals and businesses will be required to obtain a reference number from the Registrar of Firearms confirming the validity of the transferee’s (buyer’s) firearms licence before transferring a non-restricted firearm. A reference number may be obtained through our Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portals.
Firearms businesses will also be required to retain sales and inventory records related to non-restricted firearms for a minimum of 20 years.
This is not the return of the Long Gun Registry. The records created by businesses will be held by businesses — not government — and the police will require judicial authorization to access them.
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/bill-c-71-need-know
It is not yet announced what details the seller must provide to the CFP in order to obtain the reference number.