Deactivation Notice Form Unregistered Firearms

Deactivation Notice Form: Unregistered Firearms PDF Version (249 Kb)

Before you start

Use this form if you are an eligible business (including museums) participating in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) to notify Public Safety Canada (PS) that your unregistered firearm has been deactivated. This form is to confirm to Public Safety Canada that your unregistered firearm has been modified and can no longer discharge a projectile, nor can it be adapted or re-modified to do so.

The information collected in this form will be used to determine if your deactivated firearm meets the requirements for compensation. Subsection 8(1) of the Privacy Act permits government institutions including PS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to disclose personal information with the consent of the business to whom it relates. The ASFCP will obtain participating businesses’ written consent to share their information with PS partners, including the RCMP and ESDC/Service Canada, through a Privacy Notice Statement (PNS) pursuant to subsection 8(1) of the Privacy Act. Subsection 8(2)(a) of the Privacy Act permits government institutions including PS and the RCMP to disclose personal information under their control for the purpose for which the personal information was obtained or collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose. Public Safety Canada will receive or share the personal information of participating businesses' with the RCMP and ESDC/Service Canada for the purpose of facilitating the delivery of the ASFCP pursuant to subsection 8(2)(a) of the Privacy Act.

Businesses who want to deactivate registered firearms that have a registration number must use RCMP form 5645e

Public Safety Canada will determine if the firearm has been sufficiently deactivated based on the attestations provided by the business authorized to perform deactivations and the information provided in the claim.

The receipt provided by the business authorized to perform deactivations must be submitted along with this form.

If you need help completing this form please call the ASFCP contact centre at 1‑833‑759‑4551. This form will be available both in paper format and electronically through the ASFCP portal, where you can also submit your claim and all necessary documents.

Submit your completed form and the receipt electronically via the ASFCP Portal. If submitting by mail, send to:

Public Safety Canada (K1A 0P8)
Attn: ASFCP
2303 STEVENAGE DR
OTTAWA ON K1G 3W1

Ensure that the information provided in the form is complete and correct to avoid processing delays.

Please remember… Whenever you handle firearms, follow all safety precautions.

The following information explains certain parts of the form and will help you answer some of the questions. Remember, this form is only for notifying Public Safety Canada about the deactivation of unregistered firearms under the ASFCP. The collected information will not be used for any other purpose. You should read the instructions as you fill in your form.

ASFCP Deactivation Guidelines

In order for the firearm to be considered deactivated by the Government of Canada, the firearm must first be confirmed by a business authorized to perform deactivations, to no longer be considered a firearm as per the definition of a "firearm" in S. 2 of the Criminal Code (listed below).

Section 2 of the Criminal Code states that a "firearm" means a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon and any that can be adapted for use as a firearm .

1. Deactivation of Small Arms of Calibre 20mm or Less

  1. Semi-automatic, Fully Automatic, Selective Fire, and Converted Firearms.
    1. A hardened steel blind pin of bore diameter or larger must be force fit through the barrel at the chamber, and where practical, simultaneously through the frame or receiver, to permanently prevent chambering of ammunition. Furthermore, the blind pin must be permanently welded in place so that the exposed end of the pin is completely covered by weld. The strength and hardness of the weld must be that of the metal used in the construction of the firearm. In the case of firearms having calibres greater than 12.7 mm (.5 inch), the pin need not be larger in diameter than 12.7 mm. In the case of multi-barrelled firearms, all barrels must be pinned, using as many pins as necessary to block all chambers.
    2. The barrel must be permanently welded to the frame or receiver to prevent replacement.
    3. The breech face or portion of the breech bolt which supports the cartridge must be removed or cut out at an approximate 45-degree angle, so that the bolt can no longer support the cartridge. The breech block, bolt and/or bolt carrier must be welded to the barrel, barrel extension and/or receiver/frame in the closed position so that it cannot be easily removed.
    4. The firing pin must be removed, ground or cut to a length where it cannot protrude outside the firing pin channel. When ground or cut it must be welded in place to prevent replacement.
    5. Where applicable, the receiver/frame must be welded closed to prevent replacement of the breech bolt. In the case of handguns, the slide must be welded to the receiver/frame of the handgun in the closed position.
    6. The trigger mechanism must be rendered unusable and non‑replaceable. The trigger mechanism may be rendered unusable by either cutting or removing the primary (and secondary) sear points, or by welding the trigger and sear connection together. The trigger mechanism may be welded to the receiver/frame, or the trigger pins may be welded to prevent replacement. Please note that for firearms where the receiver/frame is welded closed, preventing access to the trigger mechanism is sufficient.

      For fully automatic firearms any trigger mechanism part or component, which is necessary for full-automatic fire, must be destroyed by cutting or grinding and permanently welded in place to prevent replacement.
  2. Rifles, Shotguns and Handguns other than Revolvers
    1. The barrel, bolt and frame or receiver must be modified as in 1.a.
    2. For break-action firearms and other designs where the breech face is integral to the receiver/frame, the breech can either be modified as paragraph 1.a. or may be drilled out to at least twice the thickness of the rim and at least 2mm (0.078 inch) larger diameter than that of the cartridge case head. If this step is taken, the firing pin hole must be completely drilled through to no less than five millimeters.
    3. For all manually repeating firearms, the actuator (ex: bolt, lever, pump and action bar) must be welded to the receiver/frame in the closed position.
  3. Revolvers, Revolving Rifles and Shotguns, and Cap and Ball Revolver
    1. The barrel and cylinder must be permanently blocked by a hardened steel pin of bore diameter which traverses the entire length of the barrel and cylinder, through the cylinder gap and into the barrel at least 50mm (1.970 inch). This must also be done to prevent removal or replacement of the barrel and cylinder. The pin must be permanently welded in place at the breech end of the frame and base of the cylinder (except for muzzle-loading firearms), the cylinder gap and, the muzzle, where applicable. The barrel must be welded to the receiver/frame of the revolver.
    2. Where applicable, the action must not be able to open, using welds or pins to prevent opening of the revolver.
    3. The firing pin must be removed from the firearm so that it cannot make contact with a primer. For percussion cap revolvers, the hammer must be ground down so that it cannot make contact with the cap.
    4. The major trigger components (trigger, sear and hammer) must be ground or cut to prevent contact between these parts and welded to the receiver/frame to prevent replacement. The hammer must be welded in the half-cock/ safety cock or un-cocked position.
  4. Black Powder Rifles and Shotguns
    1. The barrel must be blocked immediately forward of the flash hole using a blind pin in the manner described in paragraph 1.c.1.
    2. The flash hole must be permanently welded closed. In the case of percussion guns, the nipple must be welded closed and then permanently welded to the barrel to prevent replacement.
    3. The major trigger components (trigger, sear and hammer/lock) must be ground or cut to prevent contact between these parts and welded to the receiver/frame to prevent replacement. For matchlock, wheellock or flintlock firearms with a  jaw or dogleg to hold flint or match, the jaws should be welded closed together to prevent placement of a flint or match. The hammer or lock must be welded in the half-cock/safety cock or un-cocked position.
  5. Magazines
    1. The magazine follower must be permanently welded to the interior of the magazine to prevent loading of ammunition.
    2. The body of the magazine must be permanently welded to the frame or receiver to prevent removal or replacement.

2. Deactivation of Small arms and artillery of Calibre equal to 20mm or Greater

  1. Semi-automatic, Full Automatic, Selective Fire, and Converted Firearms.
    1. A hardened steel blind pin of no less than 25mm (0.984 inch) diameter or larger must be welded in place perpendicular to the chamber, and another pin of the same style and diameter through the barrel at the muzzle, to permanently prevent chambering of ammunition. Furthermore, the blind pins must be permanently welded in place so that the exposed ends of the pins are completely covered by weld. In the case of multi-barrelled firearms, all barrels must be pinned in the same manner. Hardened steel plates or blocks may be force fit and welded in the chamber and barrel instead, but these plates must be welded to the interior diameter of the barrel no less than half of the total diameter.
    2. Where applicable, the barrel must be permanently welded to the receiver/frame to prevent replacement.
    3. The breech block, bolt and/or bolt carrier must be welded to the barrel, barrel extension and/or receiver/frame in the closed position so that it cannot be opened or easily removed.
    4. The firing pin must be removed, ground or cut to a length where it cannot protrude outside the firing pin hole. The firing pin hole must be welded closed. For electrically primed artillery, the igniter, wiring and power source must be removed and the igniter cavity must be welded over.
    5. Where applicable, the receiver/frame must be welded closed to prevent replacement of the breech bolt and/or firing mechanism.
    6. The trigger mechanism must be rendered unusable and non-replaceable. The trigger mechanism may be rendered unusable by either cutting or removing the primary (and secondary) sear points, or by welding the trigger and sear connection together. The trigger mechanism must be welded to the receiver/frame, or the trigger pins must be welded to prevent replacement. Please note that for firearms where the receiver/frame is welded closed, preventing access to the trigger mechanism is sufficient. For fully automatic firearms any trigger mechanism part or component, which is necessary for full-automatic fire, must be destroyed by cutting or grinding and permanently welded in place to prevent replacement
  2. Manually Operated Firearm, including Automatically-Ejecting Artillery
    1. A hardened steel blind pin of no less than 25mm diameter or larger must be welded in place perpendicular to the chamber, and another pin of the same style and diameter through the barrel, to permanently prevent chambering of ammunition. Furthermore, the blind pin must be permanently welded in place so that the exposed end of the pin is completely covered by weld. In the case of multi-barrelled firearms, all barrels must be pinned, using as many pins as necessary to block all chambers. Hardened steel plates or blocks may be force fit and welded in the chamber and barrel instead, but these plates must be welded to the interior diameter of the barrel no less than half of the total diameter.
    2. Where applicable, the barrel must be permanently welded to the receiver/frame to prevent replacement.
    3. The breech block, bolt and/or bolt carrier must be welded to the barrel, barrel extension and/or receiver/frame in the closed position so that it cannot be opened or easily removed.
    4. The firing pin must be removed, ground or cut to a length where it cannot protrude outside the firing pin hole. The firing pin hole must be welded closed. For electrically primed artillery, the igniter, wiring and power source must be removed and the igniter cavity must be welded over. For bag charge artillery using blank rounds for ignition, the firing pin must be modified as above, and the blank chamber must be welded over or a pin must be force fit and welded to block chambering of blank rounds.
    5. Where applicable, the receiver/frame must be welded closed to prevent replacement of the breech bolt.
    6. The trigger mechanism must be rendered unusable and non-replaceable. The trigger mechanism may be rendered unusable by either cutting or removing the primary (and secondary) sear points, or by welding the trigger and sear connection together. The trigger mechanism must be welded to the receiver/frame, or the trigger pins must be welded to prevent replacement. Please note that for firearms where the receiver/frame is welded closed, preventing access to the trigger mechanism is sufficient.
  3. Black Powder Guns
    1. The barrel must be blocked as per 2.a.i.
    2. The flash hole must be permanently welded closed. In the case of percussion guns, the nipple must be welded closed and then permanently welded to the barrel to prevent replacement.
    3. The major trigger components where applicable (trigger, sear and hammer/lock) must be ground or cut to prevent contact between these parts and welded to the receiver/frame to prevent replacement. The hammer or lock must be welded in the half-cock/safety cock or uncocked position.

3. Firearms of Unusual Design or Construction

Allowances may be made for variations of the procedures outlined in paragraphs 1.a to 1.d and 2.a to 2.c. if the firearm is made of unusual substances or is of an unusual design such as firearms with split receiver/frames of dissimilar material or receiver/frames made of materials that cannot be welded. For example, the use of two-part urethane or polyurethane type adhesives for polymer framed firearms or the use of cement based non-shrink metallic aggregate for large artillery pieces could be allowed under this section on a case by case basis.

However, any variation in the procedure must accomplish the same goals as the original procedures. The firearm must be made to be permanently inoperable and incapable of chambering or firing ammunition.

A – Business Representative Information

Section A must be completed by the business representative or by the person who is legally authorized to act on behalf of the business or museum.

Box 1 b) to 1 d)

Print the name of the business representative or the person who is legally authorized to act on behalf of the business or museum.

Box 1 e)

If you are applying on behalf of a business or museum, and you do not have a Firearms License or FAC, print your date of birth in Box 1 e).

Box 1 f)

Print the legal name of the business in Box 1 f).

B - Firearm Deactivation Information

Section B must be completed by the business authorized to perform deactivations who confirms that the firearm has been properly deactivated and is no longer considered a firearm as per the definition of a "firearm" in S. 2 of the Criminal Code  .

Box 4 e) and f)

Using the legend provided on the deactivation notice, enter the code for the firearm type and action. For example, if you are confirming the deactivation of a rifle, print RI in Box 4 e).
Protected B when completed

Deactivation Notice Form
Unregistered Firearm

Attention: Read the Information Sheet for explanations. Print clearly in blue or black ink.

A. Business representative information

1. a) Business firearms licence number:           
1. b) Last name:
1. c) First name:
1. d) Middle name:
1. e) Date of birth (YYYY/MM/DD):
1. f) Business name:

Mailing address

2. a) Street / Rural route / PO box number: 
2. b) Apt. / Unit
2. c) City         
2. d) Province / Territory     
2. e) Country
2. f)  Postal code
3. a) Daytime telephone number:       
Ext.:
3. b) Evening telephone number 
Ext.

Business representative's signature

Date (YYYY/MM/DD):

Unregistered firearm deactivation information

Legend – Type: Print one of these codes in Box e.

Legend – Action: Print one of these codes in Box f.

4. a) ASFCP firearm identification number from claim:
4. b) Make (manufacturer):
4. c) Model:
4. d) Serial Number:
4. e) Type:
4. f) Action:
4. g) Calibre:
4. h) Barrel Length:
3. i)  FRT number:

I, (name of the business authorized to perform deactivations) for (name of business), (business licence number) in the province of (province) reachable at (business telephone number) give notice of the following:
I believe that the firearm described in Section B has been modified and is no longer to be considered a firearm as per the definition of a “firearm” in s.2 of the Criminal Code (provided below), as it has been deactivated according to the ASFCP Deactivation Guidelines.
Section 2 of the Criminal Code states that a "firearm" means a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile, can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes any frame or receiver of such a barreled weapon and any that can be adapted for use as a firearm.

Signature of the Signing Authority of the Business Authorized to Perform Deactivations

Date (YYYY/MM/DD):

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