The firearms ban imposed by the federal government is before Canada’s highest court this week, as the Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear four related appeals brought by firearm owners, businesses, shooting clubs and the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights.
Arguments are scheduled to begin Monday, November 9, 2026, in Ottawa and continue Tuesday, November 10.
The hearings concern the federal government’s May 2020 decision to prohibit about 1,500 previously legal firearm models and variants, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14.
Public Safety Canada now says more than 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms have been prohibited since May 2020.
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Firearms Ban: What the Supreme Court is being asked to decide
The central question is whether federal regulation-making powers under the Criminal Code authorized the Governor in Council, effectively the federal cabinet, to prohibit the firearms covered by the regulations.
The appellants argue that Ottawa exceeded the authority Parliament granted it, including by using broad terms such as “variants” and by prohibiting firearms that they say have legitimate hunting or sporting uses.
The Supreme Court’s official case summary identifies the dispute as involving the scope of section 117.15 of the Criminal Code, including whether it permits the government to overhaul firearms classifications through regulation and whether the regulations are sufficiently clear when criminal penalties may apply.
The government maintains that the prohibition is a valid exercise of delegated authority and is part of its public-safety strategy to remove assault-style firearms from Canadian communities.
Four appeals are being heard together
The court has grouped four appeals for the two-day hearing.
- Christine Generoux and other individual appellants v. Attorney General of Canada.
- Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights and other applicants v. Attorney General of Canada.
- Michael John Doherty and other appellants v. Attorney General of Canada.
- Jennifer Eichenberg and other appellants v. Attorney General of Canada.
The appellants are scheduled to present their arguments on Monday, followed by the federal government’s response.
Provincial attorneys general from Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, along with several civil-liberties, firearms and gun-control organizations, are scheduled to make submissions on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court granted leave to appeal on March 19, 2026, from a Federal Court of Appeal judgment dated April 15, 2025.
The lower-court proceedings had upheld the federal regulations.
Why the case matters to firearm owners
The ruling could determine whether the federal government’s 2020 prohibition remains legally valid and could clarify how far Parliament may allow cabinet to go when regulations create or expand criminal liability.
The case also has practical consequences for owners and businesses holding firearms affected by the prohibition.
The federal government says its regulations cover more than 2,500 makes and models, as well as certain components and firearms exceeding specified muzzle-energy and bore-diameter thresholds.
Public Safety Canada’s firearms information outlines the applicable rules.
Owners who remain covered by the amnesty must continue to follow the rules while the litigation proceeds.
The amnesty protects eligible licensed businesses and individual owners from criminal liability while they arrange disposal, deactivation, export or participation in the compensation program.
Amnesty deadline extended beyond the court case
Ottawa extended the amnesty period after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal.
The current orders are set to expire 90 days after the Supreme Court ends the appeals through a judgment, dismissal or discontinuance.
The current orders set out the applicable amnesty provisions.
That means the October 30, 2026 deadline that had applied to affected owners did not end the legal protection while the Supreme Court process continues.
Public Safety Canada says the individual phase of the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program recorded more than 68,000 declared firearms between January 19 and March 31, 2026.
The department also reported that more than 61,900 firearms were claimed through the second business phase of the program.
The government has said the compensation program remains the only way for eligible owners to receive compensation for prohibited firearms.
Owners who do not participate must otherwise comply with the law by deactivating, surrendering or exporting the affected firearms before the amnesty expires.
When could a decision come?
No decision has been announced ahead of the opening day of arguments.
The Supreme Court has not set a public decision date, although the federal government has said it expects a ruling next year.
The eventual judgment could uphold the regulations, strike them down in whole or in part, or send the matter back for further legal proceedings.
Until the court rules and the amnesty period ends, the existing prohibition and related restrictions remain in force.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Supreme Court firearms case about?
The case challenges whether the federal government had authority under the Criminal Code to prohibit thousands of firearms and variants through regulations.
When is the Supreme Court hearing taking place?
The four related appeals are scheduled for November 9 and 10, 2026, at the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa.
How many firearms are covered by Canada’s prohibition?
Public Safety Canada says more than 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms have been prohibited since May 2020.
Has the firearms amnesty expired?
No. The amnesty orders were extended and are set to expire 90 days after the Supreme Court appeals end through a judgment, dismissal or discontinuance.
Will firearm owners receive compensation?
Eligible owners may use the federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, which the government says is the only compensation route for prohibited firearms.
Fact-Checked: Key hearing dates, including the scheduled Monday, November 9, 2026, start and Tuesday, November 10 continuation, along with case details, prohibition figures and amnesty rules were checked against Supreme Court of Canada and Public Safety Canada information.
Disclaimer: The firearms prohibition and amnesty rules remain legally complex, and affected owners should consult official government information or a qualified lawyer for advice.