Which class is my firearm?
FlyerArms does not classify firearms. A wrong answer could put you in criminal jeopardy, and even the RCMP’s own reference table states it is not a legal instrument. Here is where a firearm’s class is officially recorded, and who to ask.
FlyerArms will not tell you your firearm's class
Class decides how you must store it, whether you need an Authorization to Transport, and whether an airline will carry it at all. It depends on the specific make, model and variant, and it can have changed since you bought the firearm. The RCMP states that its own Firearms Reference Table is "not a legal instrument". A guess from a website carries no weight — use one of the three official routes below.
The three classes
The RCMP states that firearms in Canada fall into three classes: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited.
What the source saysFirearms in Canada fall into three different classes: non-restricted restricted prohibited
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 8 June 2026
The RCMP states that the non-restricted class includes any firearm that is neither restricted nor prohibited, and that most common rifles and shotguns are non-restricted with exceptions.
What the source saysThis class includes any firearm that is neither restricted nor prohibited. Most common rifles and shotguns are non-restricted, but there are exceptions.
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 8 June 2026
The RCMP lists what the restricted class includes, covering non-prohibited handguns and certain short-barrelled or semi-automatic centre-fire firearms.
What the source saysHandguns that are not prohibited firearms Firearms that: are not prohibited firearms have a barrel less than 470 mm in length are capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner Firearms designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm by folding, telescoping or otherwise Firearms of any other kind prescribed to be restricted firearms in the Regulations
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 8 June 2026
1. Your registration certificate
If the firearm is restricted or prohibited, it has a registration certificate and that certificate records its class. Non-restricted firearms are not registered, so there is no certificate for them — if you have no certificate, that is itself a signal, though not proof.
A certificate will not show a later reclassification
The certificate records the class as registered. If an Order in Council reclassified your firearm afterwards, the certificate still shows the old class. Anyone checking whether the 2020, 2024 or 2025 prohibitions caught their firearm needs the RCMP's per-round lists, not the certificate — see firearms prohibited by Order in Council.
The RCMP states a registration certificate identifies a firearm and links it to its owner, that a registration certificate is needed for restricted and prohibited firearms, and that an individual must have a valid registration certificate for each restricted or prohibited firearm they own. Verification confirms the identification and class of a firearm and is performed by a certified verifier.
What the source saysA registration certificate identifies a firearm and links the firearm to its owner. You need a registration certificate for restricted and prohibited firearms. You must have a valid registration certificate for each restricted or prohibited firearm you own. Verification confirms the identification and class of a firearm by a certified verifier.
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 11 March 2025
2. The RCMP Firearms Reference Table
The RCMP publishes the Firearms Reference Table for public download, along with a separate list for each of the three Orders in Council. These are the documents that identify firearms by make, model and variant. The full table is a large download (around 231 MB); the per-round prohibition lists are much smaller.
Read the RCMP's own disclaimer below before relying on it: the table is an administrative document, and the Firearms Act and its regulations are the legal authority on classification.
The RCMP states that members of the public can download the Firearms Reference Table and the lists of firearms prohibited by the May 1, 2020 Order in Council (SOR/2020-96), the December 5, 2024 Order in Council (SOR/2024-248) and the March 7, 2025 Order in Council (SOR/2025-0086). Each of the four PDFs shows "Last updated: 2026-10-19". The RCMP separately directs policing agencies, public agents and firearm verifiers to use the online Firearms Reference Table rather than the PDF to ensure the most up-to-date information.
What the source saysAccess to the Firearms Reference Table for the public Members of the public can download the Firearms Reference Table and the lists of firearms prohibited by the May 1, 2020 Order in Council, SOR/2020-96, the December 5, 2024 Order in Council, SOR/2024-248, and the March 7, 2025 Order in Council, SOR/2025-0086 (Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted). Policing agencies, public agents and firearm verifiers: Please use the online Firearms Reference Table and not the PDF to ensure you are accessing the most up-to-date information.
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 22 October 2026
The RCMP states the Firearms Reference Table is not a legal instrument but an administrative document created by the RCMP's firearms experts to assist law enforcement, customs officers and firearms officials with identifying and classifying firearms, and that the Firearms Act and the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms... are the prevailing legal authority with respect to firearm classification.
What the source saysThe Firearms Reference Table is not a legal instrument. The Firearms Reference Table is an administrative document created by the RCMP's firearms experts who have, based on the definitions set out in the Criminal Code and the types of firearms prescribed in the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted (SOR/98-462) and the Firearms Act, conducted technical assessments of firearms to assist law enforcement officers, customs officers, and officials responsible for the regulation of firearms with the identification and classification of firearms. The aforementioned Act and Regulations are the prevailing legal authority with respect to firearm classification.
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 22 October 2026
3. The Canadian Firearms Program
This is the only route that covers every case, including a non-restricted firearm with no certificate and a model you cannot find in the table. It is also the route to use if the first two disagree, or if anything about your firearm's history is unclear.
The RCMP's firearm-identification line is 1-800-731-4000, extension 1082.
The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program states its hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (nationwide), with a toll-free number 1-800-731-4000 within Canada and the United States, 1-506-624-6626 from outside Canada and the United States, email cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca and fax 613-825-0297. The Firearms Reference Table page gives the same toll-free number with extension 1082 and states hours as 9 am to 5 pm Eastern time.
What the source saysThe hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (nationwide). 1-800-731-4000 (within Canada and the United States) 1-506-624-6626 (outside of Canada and the United States) cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca 613-825-0297
Source: rcmp.ca Verified 1 November 2026
Official page last modified: 18 November 2025
Once you know the class
Then check the transport rules, airport screening and your airline — all three apply to the same trip.