There are several classes of firearms in Canada. In most cases, firearms fall into two basic categories – “Restricted” and “Non-Restricted.” Non-restricted firearms typically include all rifles and shotguns (longarms) of a sporting nature, as would be used for hunting or target shooting and recreation. Restricted firearms incorporate handguns and some military-style rifles, and are limited to target shooting and collecting.

In addition to this, there are six classes of “Prohibited” firearms under Canadian law. In most cases, when a class of firearm is deemed to be prohibited, current owners of that type of firearm are “grandfathered” and granted permission to own and purchase firearms of that specific type. For this reason, nearly all prohibited firearms can still be sold to properly accredited buyers. The grandfathered prohibited categories are: Full Automatic, Converted Automatic, Assault Rifles (two classes), and Section 12(6) Handguns (.25 calibre, .32 calibre, and/or barrel length under 105mm). The sixth category comprises a list of firearms which have been prohibited outright, and which cannot be owned by any individual in Canada under any circumstance.

Prices for grandfathered prohibited firearms have been greatly reduced by the fact that only a small portion of licensed gun buyers actually qualify for purchase of these guns.