These persons must sign a statement confirming that they have known the applicant for at least three years. When someone applies for an acquisition licence, the Chief Firearms Officer must notify each spouse or common-law partner with whom the applicant has lived within the last two years. This will enable these individuals to raise concerns about their safety or about the safety of others. The Firearms Act now requires businesses and individuals to register all their firearms by January 1, 2003. There are no registration fees for restricted firearms currently registered.
Registration is once and for life.
The owner pays no further fee, unless he or she acquires another firearm. The proposed regulations do not change the current requirements under the legislation known as Bill C-17. The proposed regulations establish the circustances in which an individual can obtain authorization to carry a restricted firearm or a prohibited handgun. Eligible individuals will include people who need firearms for thier work - for example, armoured truck personnel, licensed or authorized trappers and people who work in remote areas. The firearms regulations, including licensing and registration, will apply to everyone .