By Travis Bader, founder of Silvercore Outdoors.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Canadian law limits ammunition by stored weight. An individual without an explosives licence may store no more than 225 kg of small arms cartridges, measured as net explosive mass, at any one time, in a dwelling or a storage unit, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition, under sections 279 to 281 of the Explosives Regulations, 2013. Under the firearms storage rules, a stored firearm must not be readily accessible to ammunition unless the ammunition is in a securely locked container that cannot readily be broken open or into, and that container may be the same one that holds the firearm.
What counts as ammunition under these rules?
Under subsection 268(1), a small arms cartridge has "a calibre of no more than 19.1 mm (.75 calibre)," is "fitted with centre or rim fire priming," and "includes a shotgun shell of any gauge." Rimfire, centre-fire and shotgun ammunition all fall under the same rules.
How much ammunition can you store at home?
Section 278 states: "A user may acquire and store small arms cartridges, whether or not they hold a licence." The licence it refers to is one that authorizes the storage of small arms cartridges (s. 270).
Section 279(2) requires an individual without that licence to store small arms cartridges "in a dwelling or a storage unit" and to meet sections 280 and 281. Section 280 sets the cap: "No more than 225 kg of small arms cartridges may be stored at any one time." Section 269 counts net quantity, "the mass of the explosive excluding the mass of any packaging, container, shell casing or projectile", so the number of rounds 225 kg represents depends on the load.
Section 281(1) sets two conditions inside a home. Cartridges "must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition," and "People not authorized by the user must not be given unlimited access to the cartridges."
What are the limits on primers and powder for reloading?
Section 299(1) states: "Percussion caps must be stored in their original packaging." Smokeless powder stays in its original container or in loaded cartridges, and black powder stays in original containers of no more than 500 g each, in cartridges or in black powder cartouches (s. 299(2) and (3)).
Powder limits depend on the type of home. Section 301 allows up to 25 kg of propellant powder in a detached dwelling, "of which no more than 10 kg may be black powder." Section 302 sets lower limits for any dwelling other than a detached dwelling: 20 kg of smokeless powder if every container holds 1 kg or less, or 5 kg if any container holds more than 1 kg, and 1 kg of black powder in containers. Powder already loaded in a cartridge, cap or primer does not count toward these powder limits (s. 282(2)).
How do the firearms storage rules treat ammunition?
The Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209) control how ammunition relates to a stored firearm. For a non-restricted firearm, section 5(1) requires that "it is unloaded" and that "it is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored, together with or separately from the firearm, in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into."
Restricted and prohibited firearms follow the same pattern in sections 6 and 7, with one added option: ammunition may also be stored in a vault, safe or room "that has been specifically constructed or modified for the secure storage of restricted firearms" (s. 6(c)(ii)). Section 5(3) exempts a non-restricted firearm stored in a remote wilderness area from the locking and ammunition rules in paragraphs 5(1)(b) and (c).
The Criminal Code, s. 86(1) makes it an offence to store ammunition "in a careless manner or without reasonable precautions for the safety of other persons."
How much ammunition can you carry in a vehicle?
Section 190(1)(c) of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 exempts a carrier or driver transporting "any quantity" of UN 0012 small arms cartridges or UN 0044 primers from the vehicle requirements in sections 191 to 203.1. Section 190(2) still requires packaging built and maintained so that "under normal conditions of transport the likelihood of an ignition is minimized."
The firearm itself must be unloaded during transport under sections 10(1), 11 and 12 of SOR/98-209, apart from a muzzle-loading firearm moved between hunting sites with its firing cap or flint removed. In British Columbia, section 4(1) of the Firearm Violence Prevention Act states: "A person must not transport, carry or store a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle or boat."
Can you bring ammunition into Canada?
Natural Resources Canada lists 5,000 small arms cartridges per person as the personal-use amount that can be imported without a permit, and a permit is needed for larger amounts. Section 25(1) of the Firearms Act allows ammunition that is not prohibited ammunition to be transferred to an individual only if the individual "holds a licence authorizing him or her to possess firearms."
The Silvercore Club sends members regulatory updates by email, along with the private Outpost podcast, partner discounts and member liability insurance, for $59 a year. Anyone can join, with or without a PAL.
Frequently asked questions
Can I store ammunition in the same safe as my rifle?
Yes. Section 5(1)(c) of SOR/98-209 allows ammunition to be stored "together with or separately from the firearm" as long as it is in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and cannot readily be broken open or into. A locked gun safe that meets that standard can hold both the unloaded rifle and its ammunition.
Is there a limit on the number of rounds I can own?
The limit is by weight. Section 280 of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 caps storage at 225 kg of small arms cartridges at any one time for an individual without an explosives licence. The regulations set no round count, and section 269 measures the mass as net explosive quantity, excluding packaging, shell casings and projectiles, so the number of cartridges allowed depends on the explosive content of each one.
Can I store ammunition outside the house?
Yes. Section 279(2) of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 allows storage in a dwelling or a storage unit. A storage unit must meet section 281(2), whose requirements include a clean and dry interior, construction that prevents unauthorized access and protects the contents from weather, non-sparking shelving and a posted fire hazard and no-smoking sign with letters at least 10 cm high.
How much smokeless powder can I keep at home?
Up to 25 kg of propellant powder in a detached dwelling, of which no more than 10 kg may be black powder, under section 301 of the Explosives Regulations, 2013. In other dwellings, section 302 allows 20 kg of smokeless powder if every container holds 1 kg or less, or 5 kg if any container holds more than 1 kg.
