Is Concealed Carry Legal in Canada?

By Travis Bader, Silvercore Outdoors

Last updated: 13 November 2026

Carrying a concealed firearm is a criminal offence in Canada unless the person is authorized under the Firearms Act to carry it concealed. Canada has no general concealed carry permit for civilians. The carry authorization in the Firearms Act is the Authorization to Carry (ATC) described in section 20, and it is available on two grounds: protection of life, and use in connection with a lawful profession or occupation.

This page is general information, not legal advice.

What does the Criminal Code say about carrying a concealed weapon?

Section 90 of the Criminal Code makes concealed carry an offence. Subsection 90(1) reads: "Every person commits an offence who carries a weapon, a prohibited device or any prohibited ammunition concealed, unless the person is authorized under the Firearms Act to carry it concealed." The section 2 definition of "weapon" includes a firearm, so section 90 covers long guns and handguns.

Is there a concealed carry permit in Canada?

Canada has an Authorization to Carry (ATC), issued for a specific need. Under section 20 of the Firearms Act, an individual licensed to possess a restricted firearm may be authorized to possess a particular restricted firearm away from the place where it is authorized to be possessed, if the individual needs it:

• "to protect their life or the life of other individuals" (paragraph 20(a))
• "for use in connection with their lawful profession or occupation" (paragraph 20(b))

The Authorizations to Carry Restricted Firearms and Certain Handguns Regulations (SOR/98-207) define both grounds.

Protection of life (section 2). All of these must exist:

• the individual's life, or the life of other individuals, is in imminent danger from one or more other individuals
• police protection is not sufficient in the circumstances
• possession of the firearm can reasonably be justified for protection from death or grievous bodily harm

Lawful profession or occupation (section 3). One of these must exist:

• the individual's principal activity is the handling, transportation or protection of cash, negotiable instruments or other goods of substantial value
• the individual is working in a remote wilderness area and firearms are required to protect life from wild animals
• the individual is engaged in the occupation of trapping, licensed or authorized and trained as the province requires

Section 6 attaches a condition to every ATC that the firearm be carried in a holster.

Parliament amended the Firearms Act sections on who issues an ATC in 2023. Members of the Silvercore Club get regulatory updates like that one by email, and the Club is open to anyone, with or without a PAL.

Application steps, fees and proficiency standards are in our guide on how to get an ATC in Canada.

Who issues an Authorization to Carry?

The Chief Firearms Officer of the province or territory issues an ATC for a lawful profession or occupation. Section 57 of the Firearms Act states: "A chief firearms officer is responsible for issuing authorizations to carry referred to in paragraph 20(b) and authorizations to transport." Section 57.1 makes the Commissioner of Firearms responsible for issuing protection of life ATCs under paragraph 20(a). Under subsection 65(4), an ATC runs for not more than two years.

Is open carry legal in Canada?

The answer depends on the class of firearm.

Can you openly carry a non-restricted rifle or shotgun?

Yes, in places where you can lawfully use it, such as while hunting or working in the wilderness. A non-restricted firearm does not need an Authorization to Carry. Section 15 of the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209) sets the limit: "An individual may load a firearm or handle a loaded firearm only in a place where the firearm may be discharged in accordance with all applicable Acts of Parliament and of the legislature of a province, regulations made under such Acts, and municipal by-laws."

The RCMP Authorization to carry page states that, in general, the only firearms allowed for wilderness protection are non-restricted rifles and shotguns. Our page on carrying a gun while hiking in Canada covers trails and backcountry travel.

Can you openly carry a handgun or other restricted firearm?

No, unless you hold an Authorization to Carry. Section 17 of the Firearms Act says that, subject to sections 19 and 20, a restricted firearm registered to an individual "may be possessed only at the dwelling-house of the individual, as recorded in the Canadian Firearms Registry, or at a place authorized by a chief firearms officer." Section 19 covers transport, which is explained on our transporting firearms in Canada page.

What the Silvercore Club gives a lawful firearm owner

Every Silvercore Club member in good standing carries $5 million in individual third-party liability coverage for lawful firearms use and hunting across Canada and the United States, placed through HUB International and underwritten at Lloyd's. Members get regulatory updates by email. Membership meets the Canadian Firearms Program policy that looks for gun club or range membership when a Chief Firearms Officer approves a restricted firearm transfer. Membership does not guarantee approval, and the Chief Firearms Officer decides each transfer application. Membership is $59 a year. Join the Silvercore Club.

Is a foreign concealed carry permit recognized in Canada?

No. Canada Border Services Agency Memorandum D19-13-2 states at paragraph 73: "Please note that foreign 'concealed carry authorization and/or permits' do not permit their holders to carry concealed firearms or weapons into or through Canada."

The CBSA page Firearms and weapons: Canadian border requirements states that use of firearms for personal protection, or protection of property, is not deemed a valid purpose to import firearms into Canada.

What are the penalties for carrying a concealed firearm in Canada?

Subsection 90(2) of the Criminal Code makes carrying a concealed weapon an indictable offence with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Two other sections apply to restricted firearms carried without authorization:

• Section 93, possession at an unauthorized place: up to five years on indictment, or summary conviction.
• Section 95, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, or an unloaded one with readily accessible ammunition, without the authorization or licence for that place and the registration certificate: up to 14 years on indictment, or summary conviction.

Frequently asked questions

Can you carry a gun in Canada?

You can carry a non-restricted rifle or shotgun where you can lawfully use it, such as while hunting, and you can load it only in a place where it may lawfully be discharged. Carrying a handgun or other restricted firearm requires an Authorization to Carry under section 20 of the Firearms Act. Carrying any firearm concealed without authorization is an offence.

Can a civilian get a concealed carry permit in Canada?

Canada has no general concealed carry permit. A licensed individual can apply for an Authorization to Carry under section 20 of the Firearms Act on two grounds: protection of life, or use in connection with a lawful profession or occupation, which covers protecting cash or valuables, remote wilderness work and trapping. The regulations require the firearm to be carried in a holster.

Who issues an Authorization to Carry in Canada?

The Chief Firearms Officer of the province or territory issues an Authorization to Carry for a lawful profession or occupation, under section 57 of the Firearms Act. The Commissioner of Firearms is responsible for issuing an Authorization to Carry for protection of life, under section 57.1. An authorization is issued for a period of not more than two years.

Is open carry legal in Canada?

The answer depends on the class of firearm. A non-restricted rifle or shotgun can be carried where it can lawfully be used, such as while hunting or working in the wilderness. A handgun or other restricted firearm can be possessed only at the owner's dwelling-house or a place authorized by a Chief Firearms Officer, unless the owner holds an Authorization to Carry.

Is a United States concealed carry permit valid in Canada?

No. Canada Border Services Agency Memorandum D19-13-2 states that foreign concealed carry authorizations and permits do not permit their holders to carry concealed firearms or weapons into or through Canada. The CBSA also states that personal protection is not deemed a valid purpose to import a firearm into Canada.

What is the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon in Canada?

Under subsection 90(2) of the Criminal Code, carrying a concealed weapon without authorization under the Firearms Act is an indictable offence with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or an offence punishable on summary conviction. Other Criminal Code sections, including sections 93 and 95, apply to restricted firearms carried without authorization.

The Silvercore Path

• Join the Silvercore Club
• How to Get an ATC in Canada: The Complete Guide
• Wilderness Authorization to Carry (ATC) course
• Your Authorization to Carry Questions, Answered
• Transporting Firearms in Canada
• How to Get Your PAL in Canada