Dealing with Firearms
If the estate includes firearms, you must submit a Form 6016E - Declaration of Authority to Act on Behalf of an Estate to the Royal Mounted Canadian Police (RCMP).
General
While there may be specific laws regarding firearms in your particular province or territory, an executor usually has the same authority as the deceased to take possession of a firearm, even if the executor is not personally licensed to possess firearms.
A firearm can normally remain in an estate for a reasonable amount of time while the estate is being settled. When you are ready to sell or distribute a firearm, it is your responsibility to ensure that the intended recipient has a valid a Firearm License. You can call the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) at 1-800-731-4000 to confirm the validity of a license.
Handguns
As of 2022, handguns are subject to significant restrictions, and an heir is not allowed to inherit a handgun unless he or she qualifies for an exemption (contact the provincial Chief Firearms Officer for further information about exemptions).
Consequently, an executor usually has the following choices:
- Transfer or sell transfer the handgun to any person, museum, or business with a licence to acquire and possess that particular type of handgun
- Lawfully export it (for information, contact Global Affairs Canada at 343-203-4331 or tie.reception@international.gc.ca)
- Use an approved gunsmith to deactivate it so it will no longer be subject to firearms restrictions
- Dispose of it (see below)
Disposal
To dispose of an unwanted firearm, simply contact a police or firearms officer and arrange to surrender it. In Québec, you must notify the SIAF of any such destruction if the firearm was previously registered.
See also RCMP: Transfer of Firearms from Estates.