TheGunBlog.ca — The number of Canadians with a government-issued gun licence rose 1.8% in 2021 to a year-end record, as firearm ownership for protection, sport, collecting and other activities continues to gain in popularity.
Details
Adults with a federal firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) authorized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at 31 December:
- 2021: 2,236,983
- 2020: 2,198,275
- Source: RCMP, Response to TheGunBlog.ca, 10 March 2022
- Previous Record: 2,216,509 in 2019
Why It Matters
- Increasing PAL holders suggests rising gun ownership and an expanding market for shooting goods and services, even as the federal government acts to suppress firearm users.
- Since 2001, you need a PAL to buy, sell or own guns on the government-controlled firearm market. (No paperwork needed for the free market.)
- Although estimates suggest most gun owners don’t have a licence, the number of PAL holders has risen in 9 of the past 10 years.
- The number of PAL holders fell in 2020 amid shutdowns and delays related to the Covid-19 virus.
More Info and Charts
- Canada Gun Facts and Stats (Including charts on firearm licences)