Will I lose my right to own a firearm?
Short answer
In Canada, section 109 of the Criminal Code requires a mandatory weapons prohibition order for certain offences, in particular indictable offences involving violence punishable by ten years or more and weapons offences. For a first offence, the prohibition is at least ten years for ordinary firearms and for life for prohibited weapons.
In detail
The Criminal Code has two regimes. Section 109 provides for mandatory orders: the court must make one where the conviction or the discharge is for one of the listed offences, in particular offences involving violence against an intimate partner, a child or a member of the household, certain weapons offences and certain drug offences.
The periods set out in section 109: for a first order, a minimum of ten years from release or conviction for firearms and ammunition, and a lifetime prohibition for prohibited firearms and prohibited weapons. On a repeat offence, the prohibition is for life.
Section 110 provides for discretionary orders: the court must make one if it concludes that it is necessary for the safety of the person or of anyone else, in cases involving the use, attempted use or threat of violence, or weapons offences. The maximum length is ten years after release or conviction, but the prohibition can be for life where the offence involving violence was against an intimate partner, a child, a parent or a person living in the same household.
Note: these orders can also accompany a discharge.
What to document
Keep the written order with the start date and end date of the prohibition, along with the exact list of items covered. Note the date and place where you handed in your weapons and your licences, and keep the receipt. Without that receipt, it is hard to show that you complied.
Put your facts in writing, free. Writing your version down early, keeping your documents dated and preparing your questions for a lawyer: the tool is there to document, never to advise.
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Official sources
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What this page is not
This is general legal information about the law of Quebec and Canada, dated and sourced. It is not legal advice, not a strategy, and not a prediction about the outcome of a case. In Quebec, only lawyers and notaries may give legal advice (Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, ss. 128 and 133). Laws and amounts change: the official source always prevails over us.