Are handguns coming back to Canada?
Asked by: Christy McDermott | Last update: July 12, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (19 votes)
No, handguns are not coming back to Canada for the general public. Under the national handgun freeze enacted in 2022 and codified by Bill C-21, most Canadians are prohibited from buying, selling, or transferring handguns, and from bringing newly acquired handguns into the country.
Will we ever be able to buy handguns in Canada?
On October 21, 2022, the Government of Canada implemented a freeze on the sale and transfer of handguns with plans to introduce a gun buyback program. As of January 2025, the buyback program has not yet started, reportedly due to Canada Post having concerns about employee security.
What is the most armed country in the world?
The answer depends on whether you are looking at civilian-owned firearms or military might.
What guns are legal in Canada in 2026?
Examples of Legal Firearms in Canada
- Bolt-action hunting rifles (e.g., deer and elk rifles)
- Lever-action rifles commonly used for hunting.
- Pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns used for bird hunting.
- .22 calibre rifles used for training and small game hunting.
Is Canada buying back guns?
Yes, the Canadian federal government is implementing a mandatory buyback program for prohibited "assault-style" firearms. Following a 2020 ban on over 1,500 models (now ~2,500 types), the program is entering its collection phase in 2026, targeting ~136,000 guns, with compensation for owners and businesses.
Canadian gun buyback program faces numerous hurdles
Can I legally carry a handgun in Canada?
Carrying handguns and restricted long guns
If you want to request authorization to carry a handgun or restricted long gun for a lawful occupational purpose, you must obtain an Authorization to Carry from the Canadian Firearm Program.
What is happening in Canada with guns?
Prohibition on assault-style firearms
As part of its long-standing commitment to tackling gun violence in Canadian communities, the Government of Canada has banned more than 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms since May 2020.
What guns will still be legal in Canada?
Quick Answer: What Guns Are Legal in Canada? Non Restricted Firearms – Most hunting rifles and shotguns. Restricted Firearms – Handguns and certain rifles that require additional licensing.
What guns are coming out in 2026?
Key firearm releases for 2026, highlighted at the 2026 SHOT Show and NRA Annual Meetings, include the Caracal CMP9 series, Ruger/Magpul LCP Max EHG, and Taurus TX9... Firearms focus heavily on modularity, suppressor-ready, and high-capacity compact designs.
Is Glock discontinuing the Glock 26?
Yes, Glock has officially discontinued several older generations of the Glock 26.
What is the weakest military?
Based on 2026 data, the nations with the weakest militaries often include Bhutan, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Liberia, primarily due to limited manpower, lack of advanced equipment, or reliance on external security. Several nations, like Costa Rica and Monaco, have no standing army at all.
What is the most gun-friendly country?
The United States is generally considered the most gun-friendly country in the world, largely due to its Second Amendment, high rate of private gun ownership (over 120 guns per 100 residents), and legal protections for keeping and bearing arms. It is one of only three countries worldwide (along with Mexico and Guatemala) that explicitly protects the right to bear arms in its constitution.
What is Canada's military rank in the world?
Canada ranks 28th out of 145 countries in the annual Global Firepower (GFP) military strength index. This PowerIndex score evaluates nations based on over 60 factors, including troop numbers, equipment, financial stability, logistical capability, and geographic location.
What is the most heavily armed state in America?
The answer depends on how you measure it:
Do Walmarts in Canada sell guns?
What is the Policy? Firearms and their component parts are prohibited from sale on Walmart Marketplace Canada. For purposes of this policy, the term “Firearms” includes all firearms, assault rifles, automatic weapons, handguns, long guns, rifles, and shotguns.
Can I inherit a handgun in Canada?
If you are a beneficiary
To acquire a firearm through inheritance, you must be 18 years of age and hold a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence with the correct privileges (non-restricted, restricted prohibited). You may not inherit a handgun unless you qualify for an exemption.
What is the new US weapon in 2026?
In early 2026, the U.S. Army is deploying the Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), capable of speeds over Mach 5. Key 2026 advancements also include the fielding of the XM8 carbine, the integration of Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missiles on Zumwalt-class destroyers, and testing of the F-47 sixth-generation fighter.
Which pistol caliber is gaining popularity?
This was a time of innovation as smokeless-powder cartridges and autoloading pistols were both new tech. It's the era of Browning's ACP cartridges among which the .45 ACP and .380 ACP — a shortened version of the 9mm — remain popular today. After being chambered in Luger's famous pistol, the 9mm's popularity spread.
Is the Glock 26 real?
Yes, the Glock 26 is a very real, widely used subcompact 9mm pistol introduced in 1996 and often called the "Baby Glock". It is a popular, reliable, polymer-framed firearm manufactured by Glock Ges.m.b.H. designed for concealed carry and backup use by law enforcement, featuring a 10-round standard magazine.
Can you still buy handguns in Canada in 2026?
No, as of May 2026, you generally cannot purchase, sell, or transfer handguns in Canada due to the national handgun freeze implemented in October 2022 and codified by Bill C-21. While you can keep handguns you owned before the ban, buying new ones is forbidden except for very specific exempt individuals.
Are hand guns being banned in Canada?
Handguns. A national freeze on the sale, purchase or transfer of handguns by individuals within Canada, and on bringing newly acquired handguns into Canada was imposed via regulatory changes that came into force on October 21, 2022.
What is the biggest legal gun in Canada?
Maximum muzzle energy and bore diameter have been prescribed in the Regulations; any firearm exceeding these limits is prohibited: • Muzzle energy greater than 10,000 joules (e.g., rifles chambered for . 50 BMG); and, • Bore diameter of 20mm or greater (e.g., grenade launchers).
Which province has the most guns per capita?
When it comes to owning guns in Canada, Saskatchewan and the northern territories are leading the way, according to a study by the Canadian Firearms Centre. There is one gun for every person in the North and two guns for every five people in Saskatchewan. In Atlantic Canada, there is one gun for every three residents.
Is gun violence in Canada increasing?
Rising numbers
The CRIB reports that over the past decade, firearm-related homicides have risen by nearly 90% in Canada, even when adjusting for population growth. But these deaths are not evenly distributed. In 2023, nearly 80% of gun-related homicides occurred in urban centers.
Why is Canada so strict with guns?
The shooting, in which 14 women were killed and more than a dozen injured, was a turning point for Canada, changing how the country viewed gun violence. More than two decades later, after another deadly mass shooting in 2020, Ottawa did roll out a ban on some 2,500 models of such "assault-style" weapons.