Weapons Offences / Unauthorized Possession Statistics in Canada
Criminal Code — Sections 91-92
Weapons Offences / Unauthorized Possession in Canada: the numbers
Police-reported incidents, Statistics Canada table 35-10-0177, 2015 to 2025.
23,199
Incidents reported by police, 2025
55.7
Rate per 100,000 people
+37%
Change in rate since 2015
47%
Incidents cleared by a charge
Rate per 100,000 people, by year
Rate by province and territory, 2025
- 1.Northwest Territories248.1
- 2.Saskatchewan199.7
- 3.Nunavut191.3
- 4.Yukon167.8
- 5.Manitoba141.2
- 6.British Columbia93.3
- 7.Alberta75.6
- 8.Nova Scotia54.3
- 9.Newfoundland and Labrador51.6
- 10.New Brunswick48.2
- 11.Prince Edward Island44.9
- 12.Ontario33.8
- 13.Quebec25.0
Highest rates among metro areas, 2025
- 1.Saskatoon201.3
- 2.Chilliwack159.2
- 3.Nanaimo136.8
- 4.Red Deer123.0
- 5.Kelowna121.3
- 6.Kamloops120.9
- 7.Winnipeg110.1
- 8.Regina100.0
- 9.Lethbridge94.0
- 10.Vancouver93.1
What the law says
Weapons offences under the Criminal Code include unauthorized possession of a firearm (s. 91), possession of a firearm knowing the possession is unauthorized (s. 92), possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm (s. 95), and related offences. These laws require a valid licence for any firearm, and a registration certificate for restricted and prohibited firearms, and related offences. These laws require that anyone possessing firearms or certain weapons must hold the proper licence and registration.
Penalties
Classification
s. 91 is hybrid (summary: up to 2 years less a day and/or $5,000 fine); s. 92 is indictable only.
Maximum Penalty
Unauthorized possession of non-restricted firearm: max 5 years. Possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized (s. 92): max 10 years (5 years for other weapons). Possession of loaded prohibited/restricted firearm (s. 95): no mandatory minimum; max 14 years on indictment (raised from 10 by Bill C-21), 1 year on summary conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many weapons offences / unauthorized possession incidents are reported in Canada?
Police in Canada reported 23,199 incidents in 2025, a rate of 55.7 per 100,000 people (Statistics Canada).
Is weapons offences / unauthorized possession going up in Canada?
Yes. The police-reported rate rose 37% from 2015 to 2025.
Which province has the highest weapons offences / unauthorized possession rate?
Northwest Territories had the highest rate in 2025: 248.1 per 100,000 people.
How often does weapons offences / unauthorized possession lead to charges?
In 2025, 47% of reported incidents were cleared by a charge, and 11,902 people were charged (10,691 adults, 1,211 youth).
Related Offences
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