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Safe and Legal Storage of Non-Restricted Firearms in Canada

You’ve just returned from a long afternoon at the shooting range. Your gear is packed, your targets are rolled up, and your rifle has had a solid workout. After hours of practice, all you want is to kick back, grab dinner, and put your feet up.

But before you can relax, there’s one important responsibility you cannot overlook: safe and legal firearm storage.

As firearm owners in Canada, we not only carry the privilege of enjoying hunting, sport shooting, or collecting, but we also shoulder a serious responsibility. Whether you’ve just returned from a day at the range, wrapped up a hunt, or cleaned your collection at home, one duty always remains the same: ensuring your non-restricted firearms are stored properly. Safe firearm storage isn’t just about protecting your equipment—it’s about safety, responsibility, and compliance with the law.

In this article, we’ll break down the rules around safe storage of non-restricted firearms, explore common misconceptions, and explain how to avoid charges related to careless storage.

Why Safe Gun Storage Matters

Safe firearm storage isn’t just about following the law—it’s about preventing accidents, theft, and unauthorized access. Every year, law enforcement responds to cases where improper storage led to tragic outcomes or unnecessary legal consequences.

The Criminal Code of Canada is very clear: firearms must never be stored in a way that poses a danger to others. Charges related to unsafe storage are among the most commonly laid firearm offenses.

Many owners are surprised to learn that “unsafe storage” isn’t a charge in the Criminal Code. Instead, under Section 86 (1) and (2), firearm owners can face charges for careless use, transport, or storage of a firearm, or for failing to comply with regulations set out under the Firearms Act.

Legal Framework for Firearm Storage in Canada

Section 86 of the Criminal Code

Section 86 of the Criminal Code covers two main offences:

Careless handling, transportation, or storage of a firearm – if you store or use a firearm in a way that puts others at risk.

Contravening storage regulations under the Firearms Act – failing to follow specific requirements for storing, transporting, or displaying firearms.

Convictions can lead to fines, criminal records, or even imprisonment—up to two years for a first offence and up to five years for repeat offences.

Storage Requirements for Non-Restricted Firearms

The Storage, Display, Transportation, and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (1998) outlines exactly how non-restricted firearms must be stored:

The firearm must be unloaded. This applies universally to all firearms in storage.

It must be rendered inoperable by one of the following methods:

Firearms must not be readily accessible to ammunition. Ammunition should be stored separately or in a locked container, even if kept in the same location as the firearm.

Exceptions for Remote or Temporary Storage

Farmers or trappers who require quick access for predator control may temporarily store firearms without all locking requirements, provided it’s legal to discharge in that area.

In remote wilderness areas, some regulations do not apply, recognizing the practical need for accessibility in such environments.

What Counts as “Secure Storage”?

Here’s where many gun owners get confused. What exactly qualifies as a secure locked container or room?

Gun safes and lockable metal cabinets meet the standard.

A closet may qualify—if it cannot be easily broken into. For example, if someone can simply remove hinge pins to open the door, that’s not considered secure. A quick fix is reinforcing hinges with locking pins.

Fireproof lockboxes or vault-style safes are considered ideal since they meet the legal expectation of being “secure.”

If charges are ever laid, it will be up to the police officer, prosecutor, and judge to decide whether your storage setup meets the regulations. That’s why it’s always better to exceed the minimum standard with a recognized gun safe.

Storage vs. Use: Common Misunderstandings

One area that often confuses is the difference between the storage and use of a firearm.

Scenario: You’re at home cleaning your Remington 700 rifle. You leave it on your workbench while answering the door. If a police officer were to see it, could you be charged with unsafe storage?

Answer: No. As long as you have a valid firearms license, that rifle is considered “in use” and not in storage. Storage laws apply only when the firearm is put away, not when it’s actively being cleaned, inspected, or used for reference.

Unfortunately, there have been cases where firearm owners were improperly charged for “storage” offences even while using their firearms. In most situations, such charges are dropped once the legal technicalities are clarified.

Ammunition Storage Rules

Regulations also require that ammunition must not be “readily accessible” to firearms in storage. However, the law doesn’t define exactly what “readily accessible” means.

For example:

Is a box of ammunition sitting on the same shelf as your rifle considered “readily accessible”?

Or does it only apply if ammunition is loaded into a magazine or firearm?

Until a case fully defines this in court, the safest approach is to store ammunition in a separate locked container from your firearms.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Many firearm owners unintentionally put themselves at risk of charges because of misunderstandings. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:

Leaving firearms loaded in storage – even if you live in a rural area, this is never legal.

Assuming a locked closet is enough – unless reinforced, many closets don’t meet the “secure” standard.

Storing ammunition openly – always keep it locked up separately.

Confusing storage with use – cleaning, showing, or inspecting your firearm is not storage.

Best Practices for Firearm Owners

While the law outlines minimum requirements, going above and beyond is always safer. Here are the best practices:

Invest in a CSA-approved gun safe that exceeds the legal standard.

Use trigger locks even when storing firearms in a safe, for extra security.

Keep ammunition in a separate locked container.

Educate family members about firearm safety and ensure unauthorized individuals have no access.

Review the Firearms Act regulations regularly, as updates may occur.

Final Thoughts

The safe and legal storage of non-restricted firearms is a responsibility every gun owner in Canada must take seriously. Beyond avoiding legal trouble, proper gun storage helps protect your family, your community, and your firearms heritage.

Whether you’re a hunter returning from a long day in the field or a sports shooter storing your equipment after a weekend at the range, following the regulations ensures peace of mind.