Supreme Court to Weigh Canada's Assault Firearms Ban
The country's highest court has agreed to examine the federal prohibition on more than 2,500 varieties of assault-style firearms.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hunting
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Should Canada keep its federal ban on assault-style firearms?
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a challenge to the federal ban on assault-style firearms. The amnesty period for prohibited firearms has been extended to 90 days after the Supreme Court decision.
Why it matters
The case will test whether the federal cabinet's regulations banning these firearms can stand after lower courts upheld them. Owners of prohibited firearms, who make up an estimated three to five per cent of Canadian firearms owners, face uncertainty about their status until a ruling is issued.
The federal list covers more than 2,500 varieties of assault-style firearms, and the amnesty period has been extended to 90 days after the Supreme Court decision. Thousands of alternative firearms remain legal for hunting and sporting use.
The players
Supreme Court of Canada
Canada's highest court, which hears final appeals on constitutional and federal legal questions.
Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights
A gun-owner advocacy group that is among the appellants challenging the federal firearms ban.
Federal Court of Appeal
The federal appellate court that unanimously upheld the ban, led in this decision by Chief Justice Yves de Montigny.
The details
A Federal Court judge dismissed a request to strike down the ban in October 2023, and the Federal Court of Appeal rejected an appeal in April 2025. The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights is among the appellants challenging the regulations issued by the Governor in Council.
Timeline
October 2023: Federal Court dismissed the request to strike down the ban.
April 2025: Federal Court of Appeal rejected the appeal.
Oct. 30, 2026: Original amnesty period was set to end.
2027: Supreme Court of Canada decision is expected.
Culture Shift
The case examines whether the 2020 federal regulations banning assault-style firearms are reasonable under the Governor in Council's authority. Its outcome will show how far federal cabinet power extends over hunting and sporting firearms.
Owners of the prohibited firearms should track the amnesty deadline, which is tied to the Supreme Court decision. Hunters and sport shooters can still rely on thousands of alternative firearms that remain legally available.
The takeaway
The Supreme Court ruling will determine whether the federal cabinet's firearm bans remain in force. Hunters and owners should monitor the decision and the amnesty deadline that follows it.
What happens next
The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to issue its decision no later than 2027, and the amnesty period for prohibited firearms will run until 90 days after that ruling.
Further reading
For more on firearm rules affecting sport shooters, see Hunting.
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Should Canada keep its federal ban on assault-style firearms?
