Firearms Office

Private investigators and security guards

The PEI Firearms Office administers the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act. Under the Act, anyone who provides, or works as, a private investigator or security guard must hold a valid license.  

• Application for a Private Investigator License

Canadian Firearms Program

The Firearms Office administers the Gun Control Program, pursuant to the federal Firearms Act and relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada. For more information on the Canadian Firearms Program, refer to the RCMP webpage FAQ.

Can I bring firearms into Canada?

There are three classes of firearms: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. 

You must be at least 18 years old to be able to bring a restricted or non-restricted firearm to Canada. Non-restricted firearms are ordinary rifles and shotguns, other than those referred to below. Restricted firearms include:

• handguns that are not prohibited;
• semi-automatic, centre-fire rifles and shotguns with a barrel shorter than 470 mm;
• rifles and shotguns that can be fired when their overall length has been reduced by folding, telescoping or other means to less than 660 mm
• .Classifications of Firearms in Canada

Restricted firearms are only allowed for an approved purpose, such as target shooting or as part of a collection. They are not generally allowed for self-protection.

You cannot bring prohibited firearms or other prohibited items, including replica firearms, into Canada. This law applies whether you are a Canadian who has been living out of the country and are returning to Canada with firearms, or a non-resident moving to Canada with firearms. Prohibited firearms include:

• handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less and handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few specific ones used in International Shooting Union competitions;
• rifles and shotguns that have been altered by sawing or other means so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm or their overall length is less than 660 mm;
• full automatics;
• converted automatics, namely full automatics that have been altered so that they fire only one projectile when the trigger is squeezed; and
• Classifications of Firearms in Canada

Section 84 of the Criminal Code of Canada covers the classifications and definitions of firearms.

What are replica firearms?

For purposes of Canadian law, replica firearms are devices that resemble a real firearm, other than an antique firearm with near precision, although they cannot discharge projectiles or discharge what are considered harmless projectiles.

Transporting firearms

Contact information: