Firearm specification is a way for the Canada Border Agency (CBSA) to make ensure that a weapon is classified correctly for importation, licensing and authorization purposes. When importing a firearm to Canada, the barrel measurement as well as the muzzle velocity of firearms is most commonly used to assist with this process.
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The Barrel
Under Canadian law, the barrel of a firearm must and will be measured, in order to help determine the classification of the firearm.
The barrel of a firearm is measured according to these rules:
- A revolver will be measured from the muzzle of the barrel, to the breech (stopping exactly at the cylinder).
- All other firearms are measured from the barrel to the chamber.
The Muzzle Velocity
Muzzle velocity is another way the firearms are examined to determine classification. Other barreled weapons (for example, pellet guns) can be considered as restricted or non-restricted firearms if they have a muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters (500 ft) per second or more, and if they meet the legally defined definition of a firearm.
If you want to import one of these types of firearms to Canada, you’ll need to meet all registration, licensing, import and authorization requirements that apply to restricted and non-restricted firearms.
When importing a firearm to Canada, in some cases, a weapon with a muzzle velocity equal to or less than 152.4 meters (500 ft) per second, may still be considered a firearm. You should know however, that if this is the case, do not need to have a firearm license, the weapon does not need to be registered, and there is no need for formal authorization for transport or importation.