Collection and other disposal options
Individual owners whose declarations have been accepted and who have submitted their completed claim for compensation, will select from two options to dispose of prohibited firearms through the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program during the collection phase:
- Turning them in at a scheduled collection appointment. Depending on their location, these appointments will be either with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a Mobile Collection Unit, or local police
- Deactivating them with a business authorized to perform deactivations
Collection appointments and options may vary by region and must comply with all applicable provincial laws. Collection appointments will not be available for deactivation.
Individuals who live in Saskatchewan or Alberta should consult their provincial government for any additional laws or regulations that may affect participation in the program.
While participating in the program is voluntary, compliance with the law is not. Individual firearm owners must safely dispose of or permanently deactivate their assault-style firearms before the amnesty period ends on October 30, 2026, or risk criminal liability for the illegal possession of a prohibited firearm.
Amnesty Orders protect individual owners from criminal liability while they take steps to comply with the law, including transporting a prohibited assault-style firearm for the purpose of disposal. An Authorization to Transport (ATT) is not required to transport a prohibited assault-style firearm for disposal during the amnesty period.
Disposal outside of program scope
Export without compensation
If you hold an export permit with Global Affairs Canada, you can choose to legally export your prohibited firearms to a legitimate customer outside of Canada, instead of turning them in or deactivating them.
If you plan to export your firearms abroad, you must follow to all export permit requirements for firearms set out under the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) and related regulations administered by Global Affairs Canada. Visit the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) website to obtain more information.
Deliver to police without compensation
You can call the non-emergency line of your local police for instructions on how to safely deliver your firearms to police without participating in the program for compensation. Do not call 911 to book an appointment. Do not bring your firearms to the police without receiving specific instructions.
Deactivate without compensation
You can choose to deactivate your prohibited firearms with a business authorized to perform deactivations without participating in the program.