Free Ontario Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale
The single most misunderstood fact in a private Ontario firearm sale is that a handshake and a licence check are no longer enough. Since May 18, 2022, federal law requires the seller of a non-restricted firearm to contact the RCMP Registrar, verify that the buyer's licence is valid and eligible, and obtain a REFERENCE NUMBER before the firearm changes hands. Ontario adds no provincial registry — but it does have its own Chief Firearms Officer, whose office administers licensing conditions and, for restricted firearms, the Authorization to Transport. The bill of sale documents what the law now requires you to prove.
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Ontario Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
GST/HST may apply on firearms sales if the seller is a GST registrant. Private individual-to-individual sales are typically exempt from sales tax.
Exemption: Vehicles gifted to or inherited from immediate family members may qualify for a tax exemption with a sworn Family Gift Affidavit filed at ServiceOntario.
Inspection Requirements
No safety inspection is required for private firearm sales, but both parties must comply with the Firearms Act (Canada).
Ontario Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm the buyer's firearms licence (PAL or RPAL) covers the class of firearm being sold.
- Obtain the RCMP reference number: contact the Registrar via the web services portal or the call centre before completing the transfer — mandatory since May 18, 2022.
- Write the reference number, both licence numbers, and the transfer date on the bill of sale.
- Identify the firearm exactly: make, model, action type, calibre or gauge, barrel length, and serial number.
- Restricted firearm? It must be registered to the new owner with the RCMP, and transport falls under an Authorization to Transport from Ontario's Chief Firearms Officer.
- Keep the transaction records — the verification requirement exists precisely so the chain of possession is provable.
- Both parties sign and retain copies.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling on a visual licence check alone: eyeballing a PAL does not satisfy the post-2022 requirement to verify with the Registrar and obtain a reference number.
- Assuming non-restricted means unregulated: the transfer verification applies specifically to non-restricted firearms.
- Confusing the federal Registrar with the provincial Chief Firearms Officer: the Registrar issues the reference number; the CFO handles licensing conditions and ATTs.
- Leaving the serial number off the bill of sale — it is the only unambiguous identifier the firearm has.
Pro Tip
In Ontario the paperwork sequence is fixed: verify the licence with the Registrar, get the reference number, then write the bill of sale around it. Skip step one and the sale is not legal, however good the document looks.