Is Open Carry Legal In Canada? No For Handguns—Here’s What The Law Actually Allows In 2026

No, open carry is not legal in Canada for handguns or restricted firearms. Civilians cannot openly carry handguns in public under any circumstances except with an Authorization to Carry (ATC), which is virtually impossible to obtain. While federal law technically permits open carry of non-restricted rifles and shotguns during lawful activities like hunting or transport to shooting ranges, doing so in urban areas will result in immediate police response and potential criminal charges.

Why Understanding Canada’s Carry Laws Matters

This affects you if you’re considering firearm ownership in Canada, traveling from the United States where open carry is common, or wondering whether you can carry a rifle or shotgun in public. Unlike many U.S. states where open carry is a protected right, Canada treats public firearm possession as a heavily regulated privilege with strict transport-only exceptions.

Canadian firearms laws prioritize public safety over individual carry rights. The legal framework assumes firearms remain stored at home or in vehicles during transport—not carried on your person in public spaces.

What The Law Actually Allows: Open Carry Restrictions Explained

Handguns And Restricted Firearms: Absolutely Prohibited

Open carry and concealed carry of handguns are both illegal in Canada for civilians without an Authorization to Carry. Under the Firearms Act and Criminal Code Part III, carrying a restricted firearm (primarily handguns and certain semi-automatic rifles) in public without an ATC is a serious criminal offense.

ATCs are issued only under extraordinarily rare circumstances. You must demonstrate an imminent and credible threat to your life that police cannot adequately protect against, or prove you need a handgun for lawful occupational purposes like armored car security or wilderness protection from dangerous animals.

You may be authorized to carry a handgun for wilderness protection if you need protection from wild animals while working at your lawful occupation in a remote wilderness location. These authorizations remain extremely limited and require extensive documentation.

Non-Restricted Rifles And Shotguns: Technically Legal, Practically Limited

Open carry of non-restricted rifles is federally permitted when adhering to transport regulations. However, “transport” means moving firearms between lawful locations—your home, a shooting range, hunting grounds, or a gunsmith—not carrying them casually in public.

Walking down a city street with a visible rifle, even unloaded and with a valid PAL, will trigger emergency police response. Officers will detain you, verify your licensing, confirm lawful transport purpose, and potentially charge you with weapons dangerous to public peace under Criminal Code Section 88 if you cannot demonstrate legitimate transportation.

Provincial and municipal regulations further restrict where you can carry non-restricted firearms. Most urban areas prohibit firearm discharge within city limits, and carrying visible firearms in populated areas violates public safety bylaws even when technically legal under federal law.

The Authorization To Carry Reality: Nearly Impossible To Obtain

As of January 2026, fewer than a dozen civilian ATCs exist in Canada outside law enforcement and armored car personnel. Concealed carry is prohibited outside of a lawful profession, and self-defense is not considered a valid justification for obtaining an ATC.

RCMP ATC applications require proof of imminent danger that police cannot prevent, professional necessity involving valuable goods or dangerous wildlife, or elite competitive shooting status at Olympic or Paralympic levels. Courts have repeatedly affirmed that generalized fear for safety or living in high-crime areas does not qualify.

This contrasts sharply with U.S. states like Is Open Carry Legal In Minnesota, where Permit to Carry holders can legally open carry handguns in most public spaces.

Critical Differences From U.S. Open Carry Laws

Canadian firearm philosophy fundamentally differs from U.S. Second Amendment principles. Canada treats firearm ownership as a privilege requiring demonstrated need and safety competence, not a constitutional right.

Most U.S. states allow open carry of handguns with permits, and many permit permitless open carry of rifles and shotguns. Canada’s approach resembles What Guns Are Legal In Australia more than American gun laws—strict licensing, limited carry rights, and emphasis on sporting and hunting purposes only.

Self-defense is not a valid reason to carry firearms in Canada. Unlike Stand Your Ground Law Texas, Canadian self-defense law permits reasonable force only when facing imminent danger, and firearms cannot be carried specifically for self-protection.

What To Do If You Need To Transport Firearms

Always transport firearms unloaded with trigger locks or cable locks in locked cases. Non-restricted firearms can be transported between your home, shooting ranges, hunting locations, and gunsmiths without special authorization beyond your PAL.

Restricted firearms require an Authorization to Transport (ATT), which since December 2023 is automatically attached to your RPAL license for transport to approved shooting ranges, gunsmiths, gun shows, and border crossings. You cannot deviate from authorized routes or purposes.

Never transport visible firearms through urban areas unless absolutely necessary for lawful purposes. Keep firearms in locked cases inside vehicle trunks or storage areas, not on seats or visible through windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Carry A Handgun For Self-Defense In Canada?

No. Self-defense is not a valid reason to carry handguns in Canada. You cannot obtain an Authorization to Carry based on general safety concerns or fear of crime.

Can I Open Carry A Rifle While Hiking In Canada?

Only in remote wilderness areas where hunting is legal or during active hunting seasons with proper licensing. Carrying rifles in provincial or national parks near populated areas violates park regulations and will result in police investigation.

What Happens If Police Stop Me With A Visible Firearm?

Officers will detain you, verify your PAL or RPAL, confirm the firearm’s registration status if restricted, and investigate your purpose for carrying it. If you cannot demonstrate lawful transport for legitimate purposes, you may face charges under Criminal Code Section 88 (weapons dangerous to public peace) or firearms transportation violations.

Are There Any Situations Where Civilians Can Legally Carry Loaded Firearms?

Extremely limited circumstances: active hunting during legal seasons in designated areas, professional wilderness guides with ATCs protecting clients from dangerous animals, or law enforcement personnel. Carrying loaded firearms in vehicles or urban areas is always illegal.

Pro Tip
If you’re traveling from the U.S. to Canada, never bring handguns without pre-approved import authorization. Canada’s handgun freeze since October 2022 means new handgun acquisitions are banned, and attempting to import handguns at the border without proper authorization results in immediate seizure, criminal charges, and permanent firearm prohibition.

Disclaimer: This article about open carry laws in Canada is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Open carry regulations in Canada differ significantly from U.S. laws and are enforced strictly by federal, provincial, and municipal authorities. AllAboutLawyer.com does not provide legal services or consultations. If you have specific questions about transporting or carrying firearms in Canada, consult a qualified attorney licensed in your province or contact the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program directly at 1-800-731-4000.

Next Steps: Visit rcmp.ca/en/firearms to review current transport regulations, verify your PAL or RPAL status, and understand Authorization to Transport requirements. Never attempt to carry firearms in public without understanding federal, provincial, and municipal restrictions that apply to your specific location.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

Last Updated: January 11, 2026 — We keep this current with the latest legal developments

This article provides general information about Canadian open carry laws and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney or contact the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program for specific legal guidance.

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About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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