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Registration of non-restricted firearms

A new requirement for recognized home childcare providers

The Firearms Registration Act (FRA), which came into force on January 29, 2018, provides that all non-restricted firearms (commonly referred to as "long guns") in Québec must be registered.

For any question concerning the registration of non-restricted firearms, please contact the Québec Firearms Registration Service.

If you are a home childcare provider (HCP) recognized by a home childcare coordinating office (CO), or if you wish to ask a CO to recognize you as such, then the following information concerns you. When an HCP provides childcare services in a residence where a non-restricted firearm is kept, the registration number of that firearm must be sent to the CO. This obligation adds to those that already apply.

Here is how to ensure that you comply with the new requirement.

You became the owner of a non-restricted firearm after January 29, 2018.

Everyone who acquires a non-restricted firearm after January 29, 2018 must file an application for its registration on taking possession of the firearm.

If you are a recognized HCP, you must provide that number to the CO within ten days after the registration number is assigned.

If you are not yet a recognized HCP, be aware that to be recognized, you must first provide the registration number to the CO.

You were already the owner of a non-restricted firearm on January 29, 2018.

Everyone who, on January 29, 2018, was already the owner of a non-restricted firearm has one year after that date to apply for registration.

If you are a recognized HCP, this means that, before the end of the one-year period, you must apply for registration of the firearm. Subsequently, within 10 days after the registration number is assigned, you must provide it to the CO.

If, on January 29, 2018, you have already filed an application for recognition as an HCP, and the recognition procedure is not yet completed, or if you file an application after that date and before January 29, 2019, this means that:

  • If you have already obtained a registration number, you must provide it to the CO along with the other documents and information required to complete your application for recognition.
  • If you have not yet applied for the registration of your firearm, you could obtain recognition as an HCP. However, before the end of the one-year period, you must apply for registration of the firearm. Subsequently, within 10 days after the registration number is assigned, you must provide it to the CO.

Other applicable requirements concerning firearms

The Educational Childcare Regulation provides that a person recognized as an HCP must:

  • store the firearm out of the sight and reach of the children;
  • notify, in writing, the parents of the presence of a firearm;
  • send a copy of the notice to the CO; it must be duly signed by the parents to certify that they were made aware of the presence of the firearm;
  • in the case of a prohibited or restricted firearm, a copy of the firearm's registration certificate must be sent to the CO.

The CO must keep a copy of the notice signed by the parents, which the HCP is required to send.

Message to unrecognized childcare providers

  • For any questions concerning the requirements that apply to non-recognized home childcare providers, please contact the ministère de la Sécurité publique at 1 866 644-6826 (toll free).

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Last modified date :
March 30, 2023