Firearms Storage and Transport in Canada (2026)

By Travis Bader, founder of Silvercore Outdoors. Personally teaching CFSC and CRFSC since 1994.

Most of what gets people in trouble around firearms in Canada is not what they own. It is how they store, transport, and display what they own. The federal regulations are not complicated, but they are specific, and the difference between compliant and non-compliant can come down to inches of trigger lock travel or whether a vehicle has a lockable trunk.

This is the plain-language version of what the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209) require, organized the way I would explain it at the counter. The actual regulation text is the legal authority, and you can read it in full at laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. This page is the working reference.

The short answer

A stored or transported firearm must be unloaded and secured. Ammunition must either be in the same locked container as the firearm, or stored separately in its own locked container. For non-restricted firearms (most rifles and shotguns), securing means a trigger or cable lock, the bolt removed, or storage in a locked container or room. For restricted firearms (handguns, certain rifles), it means both a locking device and a locked container, or storage in a dedicated firearms safe or vault.

For transport, restricted firearms additionally require an Authorization to Transport (ATT) issued by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer. Non-restricted firearms do not require an ATT.

The single most important takeaway: a stored or transported firearm is unloaded and secured. Everything below is the specific application of that principle.

Continue on the Silvercore Path

• → How to Get Your PAL in Canada (Complete Guide)
• → What Can You Do With a PAL?
• → PAL vs RPAL: What's the Difference?
• → Non-Restricted vs Restricted vs Prohibited Firearms in Canada

How do you legally store a firearm in Canada?

The regulations set out separate requirements for non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited firearms. The principle is the same across all three: unloaded, secured, and not readily accessible to ammunition that can be fired in it. The specifics tighten as you move up the classification.

Storing non-restricted firearms

Under Section 5 of the regulations, you may store a non-restricted firearm only if:

• It is unloaded.
• It is rendered inoperable by a secure locking device (a trigger lock, cable lock, or the bolt or bolt-carrier removed if removable), OR it is stored in a container, receptacle, or room that is kept securely locked and is constructed to resist being broken open or into.
• It is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored together with the firearm in the same locked container, receptacle, or room, OR stored separately in such a locked space.

In plain terms: unloaded, with a lock on it or locked away, and the ammunition either with it in the same locked container or in a separate locked place.

There are two exceptions in the regulation worth knowing. The locking-and-containment requirement does not apply if you reasonably require the firearm for the control of predators or other animals in a place where it can be legally discharged. And the locking and ammunition-separation requirements do not apply if you are storing the firearm in a remote wilderness area that is not subject to visible or otherwise ascertainable use incompatible with hunting.

These exceptions exist for working firearms in real conditions. Most owners storing firearms at home never use them. If you do, the regulation names what you can do, but the rest of the requirements still apply.

Storing restricted firearms

Section 6 raises the bar. You may store a restricted firearm only if:

• It is unloaded.
• It is rendered inoperable by a secure locking device AND stored in a container, receptacle, or room that is kept securely locked and is constructed to resist being broken open or into; OR it is stored in a vault, safe, or room that has been specifically constructed or modified for the secure storage of restricted firearms and that is kept securely locked.
• It is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored together with the firearm in the same locked space, OR stored separately in its own locked space.

The key difference from non-restricted storage: a restricted firearm needs both a locking device and a locked container, not one or the other. The alternative is a dedicated firearms vault, safe, or storage room, which does not require the additional locking device but must be specifically built or modified for firearms storage and kept locked.

Storing prohibited firearms

Section 7 stacks additional requirements on top of restricted storage. Most owners do not have prohibited firearms. If you do, your firearm meets the restricted storage requirements above, and if it is an automatic firearm with a removable bolt or bolt-carrier, the bolt or bolt-carrier has been removed and is stored in a separate room that is kept securely locked, where reasonable.

How do you legally transport a firearm in Canada?

Transport rules also scale by classification. Non-restricted firearms have minimal requirements beyond unloading. Restricted firearms require additional containment, an ATT, and stricter rules for unattended vehicles. Prohibited firearms add further requirements on top of restricted.

Transporting non-restricted firearms

Under Section 10, you may transport a non-restricted firearm only if it is unloaded.

That is the headline. With a valid PAL, no additional authorization is required to transport a non-restricted firearm to a range, into the field for hunting, to a gunsmith, or to any other lawful destination.

In an unattended vehicle, the firearm and any container holding it must be locked in the trunk or a similar lockable compartment. If the vehicle has no trunk or lockable compartment, the firearm must be out of sight inside the vehicle and the vehicle must be locked.

The remote wilderness exception: in a remote wilderness area not subject to ordinary use incompatible with hunting, if the vehicle cannot be locked, the firearm must be unloaded, out of sight, and have a secure locking device attached (unless it is reasonably required for predator control).

Transporting restricted firearms

Section 11 raises the requirements. You may transport a restricted firearm only if:

• It is unloaded.
• It is rendered inoperable by a secure locking device.
• It is in a locked container made of an opaque material, of such strength and construction that it cannot readily be broken open, broken into, or accidentally opened during transportation.
• If the container is in an unattended vehicle, it is locked in the trunk or a similar lockable compartment, or, if the vehicle has no trunk, it is out of sight inside the locked vehicle.

You also need an Authorization to Transport (ATT) for the specific route. The ATT is issued by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer and specifies the destinations covered (typically home to an approved range, a gunsmith, or a sanctioned competition).

Eligibility for an ATT for range use generally requires club or range membership. The Silvercore Club is an RCMP-approved range and club for that purpose, covered below.

Transporting prohibited firearms

Section 12 applies. The requirements are identical to restricted firearm transport, with one addition: if the firearm is an automatic firearm with a removable bolt or bolt-carrier, the bolt or bolt-carrier must be removed.

What is an Authorization to Transport (ATT) and do I need one?

You need an ATT to transport a restricted or prohibited firearm. You do not need one for non-restricted firearms.

The ATT is issued by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Officer. It specifies the destinations covered, typically your home to an approved range, a gunsmith, a sanctioned competition, or a specific event you have authorization for.

To be eligible for an ATT for range use, you generally need to belong to a club or range. This requirement is set as RCMP CFP policy rather than legislation and the specifics vary by province. In BC, that requirement is current and active.

The Silvercore Club is an RCMP-approved range and club for ATT eligibility purposes. Many RPAL holders join the Club before their licence arrives so the ATT issuance is one less moving piece when they are ready to shoot.

How do you legally display a firearm in Canada?

Display means visible and intentionally shown, like a firearm mounted on a wall or kept in a display cabinet. The regulations treat display as a separate category from storage because a displayed firearm is more easily noticed and accessed.

Displaying non-restricted firearms

Under Section 8, you may display a non-restricted firearm in your home only if:

• It is unloaded.
• It is rendered inoperable by a secure locking device, OR it is in a container, receptacle, or room that is kept securely locked and is constructed to resist being broken open or into.
• It is not displayed with and not readily accessible to ammunition that can be discharged from it.

Displaying restricted and prohibited firearms

Section 9 raises the bar. A restricted or prohibited firearm may be displayed in a dwelling-house only if it is unloaded, rendered inoperable by a secure locking device, securely attached to a structure that it cannot readily be removed from, and not readily accessible to ammunition that can be discharged from it.

Display in a non-dwelling location, such as a gun show booth or a museum, has additional requirements that vary by context. For automatic prohibited firearms, the bolt or bolt-carrier must also be removed and stored separately under lock.

How the Silvercore Club fits

The storage, transport, and display rules above set the legal floor. The Silvercore Club is built around the practical reality of staying compliant while actually using your firearms.

Membership is $59 a year. For PAL holders, it includes $5 million in liability coverage through Lloyd's of London while you are engaged in lawful firearms activities. That matters more than people realize. The moment something goes wrong on a range or in the field, personal coverage that does not depend on whose property you were on is worth having.

For RPAL holders, the Silvercore Club is an RCMP-approved range and club, which is the eligibility piece your provincial CFO is looking for when issuing your Authorization to Transport. Without that membership, the ATT path for range transport is closed in most provinces.

Membership also includes our online firearms safety course free, partner discounts at brands like Tangent Theta, SAI Optics, and Nanuk (whose lockable cases are exactly what the regulations are asking you to use, incidentally), and access to The Outpost, our private member podcast.

For new owners working through storage and transport for the first time, the Club is the bridge between knowing the rules and having the gear and infrastructure to follow them properly. Join the Silvercore Club here.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to lock my firearm in my home if I live alone?

Yes. The regulations apply regardless of who else lives in your home. A stored non-restricted firearm must be rendered inoperable by a locking device or stored in a locked container, cabinet, or room. The fact that no one else has access does not change the requirement.

Can I store ammunition with my firearm?

Yes, provided the ammunition is in the same locked container, receptacle, or room as the firearm. The requirement is that the firearm not be readily accessible to ammunition, which is satisfied when both are together in a locked space. You can also store them separately, each in its own locked container.

Do I need a gun safe?

The regulations do not require a "gun safe" specifically. They require a container, receptacle, or room that is kept securely locked and is constructed to resist being broken open or into. A locked metal cabinet, a locked closet, or a locked room can all meet this requirement, depending on construction. A dedicated gun safe is one good option, not the only one.

What is the difference between an ATT and an ATC?

An ATT is an Authorization to Transport a restricted firearm between specific places. An ATC is an Authorization to Carry, which is much rarer and applies to specific lawful work such as wilderness employment in dangerous animal country, trapping, or armoured car personnel. Most PAL holders, including most RPAL holders, will only ever need an ATT.

Can I carry my non-restricted rifle in my vehicle?

Yes, with a valid PAL and the firearm unloaded. In an unattended vehicle, the firearm must be locked in the trunk or a similar lockable compartment, or, if the vehicle has no trunk, out of sight inside the locked vehicle.

Can I transport a firearm to a friend's house?

You can transport a non-restricted firearm to any lawful location provided it is unloaded and meets the transport requirements. For a restricted firearm, an ATT is required, and the ATT specifies the destinations covered. A private residence is not a standard destination on an ATT issued for range use.

What happens if I am stopped by police while transporting a firearm?

Cooperate and have your documentation ready. For a non-restricted firearm, that means your PAL. For a restricted firearm, your PAL with restricted privileges and your current ATT. The firearm should be unloaded and secured per the regulations.

Are the storage rules different for hunting versus the range?

The transport requirements are the same: unloaded for non-restricted, plus locked container and ATT for restricted. The difference is destination. Hunting takes you into the field; range use takes you to an approved range. Your ATT, if you need one, specifies where you can transport.

What about antique firearms?

Antique firearms have their own classification under the Firearms Act and are not subject to the same licensing requirements as modern firearms, but they must still be unloaded for storage, display, and transportation. Antique handguns must be transported in a locked, opaque container. Not all old firearms are antiques: the legal definition is specific (generally firearms manufactured before 1898 that were not designed or re-designed for rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition, plus specifically prescribed firearms). When in doubt, confirm with the RCMP CFP before assuming antique status.

What about replica firearms?

Replica firearms (non-functional reproductions) should be stored and displayed to prevent loss and theft. During transport, they must be locked in the trunk or, if the vehicle has no trunk, out of sight inside the locked vehicle. Some "replicas" can be reclassified as prohibited devices under specific conditions, so confirm classification before purchase or sale.

Where to take your CFSC or CRFSC with Silvercore

Silvercore teaches across British Columbia from a permanent classroom in Delta and at established venues on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Lower Mainland

• Delta - Silvercore Training Facility, #115 – 7198 Vantage Way. Our permanent classroom and the home base for most of our weekend courses.
• Langley - The Range Langley, 9938 201 Street #2.
• New Westminster - Douglas College, 700 Royal Avenue.

Vancouver Island

• Nanaimo - Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth Street.
• Parksville - Shelly Hall, 186 Shelly Road.
• Comox - Comox Valley Sports Centre, [VERIFY: full street address]
• Victoria - Quality Inn Downtown, 850 Blanshard Street.

To book your CFSC, CRFSC, or both in a single weekend, see the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (Non-Restricted and Restricted) at Silvercore.

About the author

Travis Bader is the founder of Silvercore Outdoors, Canada's largest firearms safety training company. He has personally taught the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course since 1994, and through Silvercore has trained and certified most of the firearms instructors currently teaching in British Columbia. Travis hosts the Silvercore Podcast, where he explores firearms, hunting, and the outdoors with leaders from across the industry.

Travis Bader

Silvercore Outdoors