handgun transfer exempton letters

Effective October 21st, 2022, regulatory amendments under the Conditions of Transferring Firearms and Other Weapons Regulations (SOR/98-202) restricted the circumstances a chief firearms officer (CFO) may authorize the transfer of a handgun to an individual.  The three grounds for exemption are:

  1. To protect the life of an individual or other individuals pursuant to an Authorization to Carry (ATC) issued by a CFO under section 20(a) of the Firearms Act,

2. For use in connection with the individual’s lawful profession or occupation pursuant to an ATC issued by a CFO under section 20(b) of the Firearms Act, or

3. To train, compete, or coach in a handgun shooting discipline that is on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee, provided the individual supplies a letter to the CFO from a provincial or national sport shooting governing body confirming:

o That the individual trains, competes, or coaches in such a discipline;

o The specific discipline in which the individual trains, competes, or coaches; and

o That the handgun the individual seeks to acquire is necessary for training, competing, or coaching in that specific discipline.

Step 1 – Confirm Eligibility

· The individual (athlete/coach) must train, compete, or coach in one of the Olympic or Paralympic handgun shooting disciplines. (Discipline link below)

· The individual must hold a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) with restricted privileges. 

Step 2 – Obtain Exemption Letter From the Governing Body

· The individual requests an exemption letter from the provincial or national sport shooting governing body.

· The governing body issues a letter to th applicant that satisfies all regulatory requirements. (Application link below)

Step 3 – Initiate Transfer Application

· The individual (buyer) and the licences firearms seller (business or individual) initiate a handgun transfer application with the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP).

· Applications are submitted through Individual or Business Web Services or the CFP Contact Centre.

Step 4 – CFO Review

· The CFO receives the transfer application from the CFP and contacts the individual to obtain a copy of the exemption letter.

· If the exemption letter satisfies all regulatory requirements and there are no other firearms licencing eligibility concerns, the CFO submits the letter to the CFP and authorizes the transfer. 

Step 5 – Registrar Review

· All handgun transfers to individuals are reviewed by the Registrar of Firearms.

· Once the Registrar confirms the exemption is correctly documented a registration certificate is issued.

· If documentation is determined to be insufficient, the Registrar advises the CFO, who in turn notifies the applicant that additional information is required to complete the transfer.

If there are any further questions or concerns not addressed by the information above, please contact the Alberta Chief Firearms Office by email or by phone.

Hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays).

Call Centre: 780 – 401 - 4140

Toll free: Dial 310 - 0000 before the phone number (Alberta only)

Email: albertaacfo@gov.ab.ca

Mail: 

Alberta Chief Firearms Office

PO Box 458, Station Main

Edmonton, AB T5J 2K1