What Happens If Your Firearm Licence Expires? (A Guide to Renewal and Penalties)
What Happens If Your Firearm Licence Has Expired?
Firearm licences are a critical part of responsible gun ownership. They ensure that people who own guns are properly trained and vetted, and that they understand the laws and regulations governing the safe use of firearms. But what happens if your firearm licence expires?
In this article, we’ll take a look at what happens if your firearm licence expires, and what you need to do to renew it. We’ll also discuss the consequences of failing to renew your licence, and how to get a new licence if you’ve lost or misplaced yours.
So if you’re wondering what happens if your firearm licence has expired, read on for all the information you need.
| What Happens If My Firearm Licence Has Expired? | What to Do | Contact |
|—|—|—|
| You may no longer possess or use your firearm. | You must renew your licence. | [Your provincial firearms office](https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/contact-provincial-territorial-firearms-offices) |
| You may be charged with a criminal offence. | You may also be required to surrender your firearm to the police. | [RCMP](https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms) |
| You may be denied a new firearms licence. | | |
Consequences of Expired Firearm Licence
If your firearm licence has expired, there are a number of consequences that you may face. These include:
- Not being able to legally possess or use a firearm. This is the most serious consequence of an expired firearm licence. If you are caught in possession of a firearm without a valid licence, you could be charged with a criminal offence.
- Possible criminal charges. In addition to the criminal charges you could face for possessing a firearm without a valid licence, you could also be charged with other offences, such as:
- Careless storage of a firearm. If your firearm is not stored properly and it is accessible to children or unauthorized persons, you could be charged with this offence.
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm. If you are found in possession of a firearm that you are not authorized to possess, you could be charged with this offence.
- Risk of losing your firearms. If your firearm licence expires, you may be required to surrender your firearms to the police. This is because you are no longer legally allowed to possess them.
- Insurance implications. If your firearm licence expires, your insurance policy may not cover you if you are involved in an accident involving a firearm. This is because you are no longer legally allowed to possess a firearm.
How to Renew Your Firearm Licence
If your firearm licence has expired, you will need to renew it in order to continue legally possessing and using firearms. The process for renewing your licence varies depending on the province or territory in which you live. However, the following steps are generally involved:
1. Check the expiry date on your licence. Your licence will have an expiry date printed on it. If your licence has expired, you will need to renew it as soon as possible.
2. Gather the required documents. The required documents will vary depending on the province or territory in which you live. However, you will typically need to provide:
- A valid government-issued ID
- Proof of residency
- A completed firearm licence renewal application form
- A firearms safety course certificate
3. Submit your application. You can submit your application for renewal online, by mail, or in person at a firearms licensing office.
4. Pay the renewal fee. The renewal fee will vary depending on the province or territory in which you live.
5. Wait for your new licence to arrive. Once your application has been processed, you will receive your new licence in the mail.
For more information on how to renew your firearm licence, please contact your local firearms licensing office.
What Happens If My Firearm Licence Has Expired?
If your firearm licence has expired, you will no longer be legally allowed to possess or use firearms. This means that you must either renew your licence or surrender your firearms to the police.
Renewing your licence
The process for renewing your firearm licence varies from province to province. However, in general, you will need to submit a renewal application to the provincial firearms office, along with the required fees and documentation.
The required documentation may include:
- A copy of your current firearm licence
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- A completed renewal application form
- Proof of firearms safety training
- A criminal record check
Once you have submitted your renewal application, the provincial firearms office will review your application and determine whether or not to renew your licence. If your licence is renewed, you will be issued a new licence card.
Surrendering your firearms
If you are unable to renew your firearm licence, you must surrender your firearms to the police. You can do this by taking your firearms to your local police station or by mail.
When you surrender your firearms, you will need to provide the police with a copy of your expired firearm licence and a statement of why you are surrendering your firearms. The police will then destroy your firearms or transfer them to another licensed individual.
Options for surrendering your firearms
If you are unable to renew your firearm licence, you have a few options for surrendering your firearms. You can:
- Take your firearms to your local police station.
- Mail your firearms to the police.
- Sell your firearms to a licensed firearms dealer.
- Donate your firearms to a firearms safety organization.
Options for storing your firearms
If you are unable to renew your firearm licence, you may be able to store your firearms with a licensed firearms dealer or a firearms safety organization.
To store your firearms with a licensed firearms dealer, you will need to sign a storage agreement with the dealer. The storage agreement will specify the terms and conditions of the storage, such as the length of time the firearms will be stored, the fees charged, and the insurance coverage provided.
To store your firearms with a firearms safety organization, you will need to contact the organization to inquire about their storage policies.
Options for selling your firearms
If you are unable to renew your firearm licence, you may be able to sell your firearms to a licensed firearms dealer.
To sell your firearms to a licensed firearms dealer, you will need to complete a bill of sale and provide the dealer with a copy of your expired firearm licence. The dealer will then transfer the ownership of the firearms to the new buyer.
Resources
If you have any questions about the firearm licence renewal process, you can contact the provincial firearms office. You can also find more information on the following websites:
- [Government of Canada – Firearms](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/firearms.html)
- [Canadian Firearms Safety Association](https://www.cfsa.ca/)
- [Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights](https://www.firearmsrights.ca/)
If your firearm licence has expired, you must take action to either renew your licence or surrender your firearms. You have a few options for surrendering your firearms, including storing them with a licensed firearms dealer or a firearms safety organization, or selling them to a licensed firearms dealer.
If you have any questions about the firearm licence renewal process, you can contact the provincial firearms office. You can also find more information on the following websites:
- [Government of Canada – Firearms](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/firearms.html)
- [Canadian Firearms Safety Association](https://www.cfsa.ca/)
- [Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights](https://www.firearmsrights.ca/)
What Happens If My Firearm Licence Has Expired?
- Q: My firearm licence has expired. What do I need to do to renew it?
- A: To renew your firearm licence, you will need to:
- Complete a new firearms licence application form.
- Pay the renewal fee.
- Submit the required documentation, including:
- A valid driver’s licence or other government-issued identification.
- Proof of residency.
- A firearms safety course certificate.
- A criminal record check.
- Have your fingerprints taken.
- Attend an interview with a firearms officer.
- Q: How long does it take to renew my firearm licence?
- A: The processing time for a firearm licence renewal can vary depending on the jurisdiction. In general, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
- Q: Can I still use my firearms while my licence is being renewed?
- A: No, you cannot use your firearms while your licence is expired. If you are caught using your firearms while your licence is expired, you could be charged with a criminal offence.
- Q: What happens if I don’t renew my firearm licence?
- A: If you do not renew your firearm licence, it will be cancelled. You will no longer be legally allowed to own or possess firearms. If you are caught in possession of a firearm after your licence has been cancelled, you could be charged with a criminal offence.
- Q: How can I get more information about renewing my firearm licence?
- A: You can contact your local firearms office for more information about renewing your firearm licence. You can also find more information on the website of the Canadian Firearms Safety Association.
if your firearm licence has expired, you will need to renew it in order to continue legally possessing your firearms. The process of renewing your licence is relatively straightforward, but it is important to make sure that you do so before your licence expires. If you fail to renew your licence on time, you could face serious consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and even having your firearms seized.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that you renew your firearm licence on time and avoid any potential problems.
Here are some key takeaways to remember:
- Firearm licences expire after five years.
- You can renew your licence online, by mail, or in person at a firearms office.
- The renewal fee is $60.
- You must provide proof of identification and residency, as well as a firearms safety course certificate.
- If you fail to renew your licence on time, you could face serious consequences.