What is a non restricted AR-15 in Canada?
Asked by: Maybelle Schmitt | Last update: April 23, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (24 votes)
In Canada, a non-restricted AR-15 is a specific variant with a barrel over 18.5 inches, often the Maccabee Defense SLR, classified as a "long-gun" for hunting/sport, unlike most AR-15s deemed restricted (requiring registration/range use) or banned outright as assault-style firearms (since May 2020), creating a complex, often contradictory, legal landscape where some AR-style rifles are legal for general use while others face severe restrictions.
What is considered a non-restricted firearm in Canada?
Non-restricted
This class includes any firearm that is neither restricted nor prohibited. Most common rifles and shotguns are non-restricted, but there are exceptions.
Were AR-15 restricted in Canada?
The AR-15 , once a popular choice among firearm enthusiasts, is no longer available for sale to civilians in Canada. In May 2020 , the Canadian government implemented a sweeping ban on over 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms, including the AR-15.
Can I bring my AR-15 to Canada?
Anyone wishing to bring hunting rifles into Canada must be at least 18 years old; properly store the firearm for transport; and follow the declaration requirements. Hundreds of hunters are failing to declare their firearms when they enter Canada.
What is the difference between prohibited and restricted firearms in Canada?
Prohibited firearms also include automatic firearms. A “restricted” firearm includes any handgun that is not a prohibited firearm, that has a barrel length of less than 470mm and is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner.
Canadian Non-Restricted "inexpensive" buyer's guide
What rifles are banned in Canada?
Prohibited
- Rifles of the designs commonly known as ArmaLite AR-10, ArmaLite AR-15, M16, M14, Robinson Armament XCR, and SIG SG 550 (including any variants or modified versions)
- Carbines of the designs commonly known as Beretta Cx4 Storm, CZ Scorpion Evo 3, M4 and SIG SG 551 (including any variants or modified versions)
Which semi-automatic rifles are legal in Canada?
Semi-Automatic and Centerfire Rifles Available in Canada
- Akdas Alcor Semi-Auto Rifle (. 223 Rem)
- Browning BAR MK3 Semi-Auto Rifle.
- Chinese SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle.
- Henry Homesteader Semi-Auto Carbine (9mm)
- Simonov Surplus SKS Semi-Auto Rifle.
- Benelli R1 Semi-Automatic Rifle.
- M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle.
Can a US citizen carry a firearm in Canada?
Visiting Canada
Non-residents must be 18 years of age or older to use a firearm in Canada or to bring one into the country. If you are coming into Canada with a firearm, please fill out a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration form ( RCMP 5589) before you arrive at your entry point into Canada to save you time.
Can I carry a gun while hiking in Canada?
In general, the only firearms allowed for wilderness protection are non-restricted rifles and shotguns. However, Canadian residents may be authorized to carry a handgun or restricted long gun for wilderness protection or for lawful occupational purposes if they: are licensed to possess restricted firearms.
What AR does Canada use?
C7A2 5.56-mm Automatic Rifle
Capable of single or automatic fire, the C7A2 automatic rifle is the personal weapon used by the Canadian Armed Forces.
What country has the loosest gun laws?
Yemen does not require any permit or any license for the acquisition or selling of any types of firearms, including fully automatic firearms.
Is AR-15 stronger than AK-47?
Neither the AK-47 nor the AR-15 is definitively "more powerful," as they excel in different areas: the AK-47 (7.62x39mm) hits harder at closer ranges with a larger bullet but is less accurate, while the AR-15 (5.56x45mm) offers greater accuracy, range, and modularity due to its lighter design and faster, smaller round. The AK's raw stopping power is higher at short distances, but the AR's velocity and precision make it better for longer engagements, making the choice dependent on intended use.
Does Walmart still sell AR-15s?
No, Walmart no longer sells AR-15s or other modern sporting rifles; they stopped selling them in 2015 and also discontinued selling handgun ammunition and ceased handgun sales in most states to focus on hunting and sportsman firearms. The company stopped carrying these rifles due to lower demand and has since implemented stricter policies, including raising the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21 and removing assault-style weapon replicas from their website.
How do I buy non restricted firearms in Canada?
Get Your PAL (Possession & Acquisition License)
To obtain a PAL you need to take the the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC), this will allow you to buy and own non-restricted firearms (shotguns, bolt action guns, rim fires etc.).
Can I own an AK-47 in Canada?
Based on Section 84(1) of the Criminal Code , receiver blanks can be classified as non-restricted, restricted or prohibited. The most common in Canada are for: Colt M1911, SIG 226 and Glock 17 pattern handguns (all restricted firearms) AK-47 and AR-15/M16 pattern rifles (both prohibited firearms)
Can I carry a gun in my car in Canada?
Yes, you can carry a gun in your car in Canada, but it must be unloaded, out of sight, and in a locked container (like the trunk) or locked vehicle, with stricter rules for restricted/prohibited firearms requiring an Authorization to Transport (ATT) and locked safety devices. Non-restricted firearms (most hunting rifles/shotguns) must be unloaded and locked away or hidden in a locked car, while restricted firearms (handguns) need an ATT, a locked case, and a trigger lock.
Can a Canadian buy a gun in the US and bring it back to Canada?
A Canadian may purchase a firearm in the US but cannot take possession of it, nor can they export it from the US. The only legal method is to come back to Canada and follow the steps in Question 1 (above). Q4. A family member in the US has given or willed a firearm to a Canadian resident who wishes to import it.
What can I carry in Canada for self-defense?
Some of the self-defense items that you can legally carry in Canada include dog sprays, personal safety alarms, self-defense keychains, safety whistles, and flashlights. It's important to note that while these items are legal, their use must be appropriate and proportional to the threat faced.
What happens if you get caught with a handgun in Canada?
Possession of firearms in Canada is strictly regulated under the Firearms Act and Criminal Code. A valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or Restricted PAL (RPAL) is mandatory to own firearms legally. Penalties for unauthorized possession can include imprisonment up to 14 years.
Can I bring ammunition from the US to Canada?
Transporting ammunition
You may cross the Canadian border with explosives (ammunition, primers and powders) without a Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) permit if you meet the following conditions: the goods are for personal use, not for commercial purposes.
What can't you bring across the Canadian border?
You generally cannot bring illegal drugs, most firearms/weapons (like pepper spray, tasers), cannabis (even with a prescription), fresh fruits/vegetables, certain live animals/pets, raw meats, or prohibited foods (like eggs, certain fish) across the Canadian border without permits, with all items needing declaration, especially food, plants, and animal products to avoid invasive species or disease. Violations can lead to seizure, fines, or criminal charges.
Where to store guns before entering Canada?
Borderview offers secure firearm locker storage in the USA for travelers making temporary trips to Canada. The lockers are located in a secure, Federally licensed facility in Lynden, Washington near the Canadian border.
What are the benefits of owning an AR-15?
AR-15s in 5.56/. 223 are perfect for varmints and predator hunting, and with the proper ammunition can make a great deer rifle. Of course, the AR-15 is also chambered in a number of other more powerful cartridges for big game, and the . 308-chambered AR-10 is a deer hunting favorite for many.
Is Canada banning .22 rifles?
22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, was not prohibited in Canada's recent ban announced on March 7, 2025. The prohibition list published by the Government of Canada specifically targets certain makes and models of firearms, but the Ruger 10/22 does not appear on this list.
What is the typical cost of an AR-15?
Depending on the manufacturer and configurations, AR15s can cost anywhere from $400 to over $2000.