GunEx
Sign up

How to sell a firearm privately in Canada

Sep 21, 2026 • 7 min read

If you are selling a rifle or shotgun to another licensed adult in Canada, the hard parts are not the listing. They are (1) confirming the buyer can legally take the firearm, (2) getting a reference number from the Canadian Firearms Program before you hand it over, and (3) not getting scammed on payment or PAL photos along the way.

This is a process overview for private individuals. It is not legal advice. Rules differ for restricted and prohibited firearms, for handguns, for businesses, for estates, and — for non-restricted registration — in Québec. When anything below disagrees with the RCMP transfer page or the CFP agent on the phone, follow them.

Last verified: 2026-09-21.

The short version (non-restricted)

  1. Confirm the firearm is what you think it is (classification, make/model). The FRT lookup on GunEx is a convenient way to read the RCMP Firearms Reference Table record.
  2. Decide price and write an honest listing with clear photos.
  3. Find a buyer who is 18+ with a valid PAL that covers non-restricted.
  4. Take reasonable steps to confirm the buyer is the licence holder (compare the photo on the PAL to the person — in person, or by video call; if you cannot do a visual comparison, the RCMP guidance allows asking for a second piece of government photo ID).
  5. Before you hand over the firearm, you (the seller) request a reference number confirming the buyer holds and is still eligible to hold a licence for non-restricted. Online via Individual Web Services, or by calling the CFP at 1-800-731-4000.
  6. Transfer only while that reference number is still valid. Per the RCMP transfer page, the number is valid for 90 days or for the remaining validity of the buyer's licence (the prescribed period in regulation is 90 days). If it expires before handover, request a new one.
  7. Complete payment in a way you can live with (in person preferred for many private sales; watch e-transfer scams — see transaction safety).

Federally, you do not need to register a non-restricted firearm to transfer it. Québec is different on registration — see the Québec section below. You do need the federal reference number before the transfer, including in Québec.

Know what you are selling

Classification drives the paperwork.

If you are unsure whether your exact make/model/configuration is non-restricted, look up the FRN on /frt and, if needed, ask the CFP. Retailer marketing copy is not a determination.

Québec non-restricted sellers

In Québec, non-restricted firearms are subject to the provincial Firearms Registration Act / SIAF process. That sits on top of the federal reference-number requirement — it does not replace it (Québec confirms the federal duty is additive).

Practically, for a citizen-to-citizen sale of a non-restricted firearm that is already registered in Québec: after you hand it over and are no longer the owner, you must file a notice of transfer of ownership with SIAF (online service or by post — not by email or phone). You will need particulars for both parties plus the firearm's unique firearm number (UFAN) and the seller's firearm registration number (FARN).

If the firearm was never registered, a notice of transfer is not required; the new owner applies to register. Confirm the current steps on Québec's citizen transfer page — this post is not a Québec procedure guide.

What to put in the listing

Buyers on Canadian boards ignore fluff and punish surprises. Include:

Photos: well-lit, plain background, both sides, serial area obscured if you prefer, close-ups of wear. See how to photograph a firearm for a listing.

You can create a listing on GunEx at /listings/new. GunEx is a marketplace board — it does not verify PALs or run the transfer for you. That stays between you, the buyer, and the CFP (FAQ).

Vetting the buyer without burning your PAL

Never email a photo of your own PAL to a stranger as a first step. For the reference-number request the seller needs the buyer's licence number, date of birth, and email address (the email CFP has on file). You also declare that you took reasonable steps to verify the person matches the licence — photo comparison in person or on video, or a second government photo ID when visual comparison is not possible.

Red flags that show up constantly on Canadian forums: buyers who refuse a phone/video call, push for PAL photos first, pressure you to ship before the reference number, or send "e-transfer" emails that ask you to click a login link. More patterns on transaction safety.

Getting the reference number (non-restricted)

Per the RCMP transfer guidance:

Practical tip: do the check the same day you meet when you can, and keep a note of the reference number with your sale record.

Handing it over

Agree meeting place, payment method, and who brings a case. Complete the reference number before the firearm changes hands. For local deals, many people meet at a range, shop, or other public location they are comfortable with.

For distance sales, do not improvise shipping from a blog post. Confirm current rules with the CFP and with Canada Post or another carrier that accepts firearms under their published conditions before you agree to ship.

Restricted firearms (short)

Restricted and prohibited transfers are not the non-restricted checklist. Expect:

Do not treat the non-restricted reference-number flow as sufficient for a restricted firearm. See selling restricted vs non-restricted. Handguns have additional transfer limits — see the classification section above and the RCMP handgun guidance before you advertise one.

Where to list

Honest options Canadians already use:

Pick based on where your buyers already look and how much noise you are willing to tolerate. See where to sell a firearm online in Canada for an honest comparison without pretending any one site has "won" the market.

Checklist

Ready to list?

Create a listing on GunEx. The board helps buyers find you; the transfer still goes through you, the buyer, and the CFP.