Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP)

• Compensation provided based on specific amounts set for each eligible firearm, device, or component turned in or deactivated.
• Administrative payment of $250 per firearm turned in, intended to offset processing, packaging, inventory, and holding costs since the 2020 prohibition.
• Flat-rate reimbursement of $400 for each firearm permanently deactivated, or $700 for firearms with a muzzle energy greater than 10,000 Joules or a bore diameter of 20 mm or greater.
• Shipping costs for turning in firearms, devices, or components are reimbursed upon submission of a receipt and tracking number.

• The business must have held a valid firearms licence on May 1, 2020 and maintained that licence in good standing.
• The business must possess inventory including eligible prohibited firearms, devices, or associated parts and components.
• The business must comply with all terms and conditions of the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP).

Who is eligible?

• Businesses in possession of prohibited assault-style firearms, devices, or associated eligible parts and components
• Licensed firearm businesses with a valid firearms licence maintained since May 1, 2020

Who is not eligible

• Businesses that do not possess a valid firearms licence as of May 1, 2020 or whose licence is not in good standing.
• Companies whose inventory does not include eligible prohibited firearms, devices, parts, or components as specified by prohibition dates (May 2020, December 2024, March 2025).
• Businesses holding required registration certificates and specific privileges on their licence (as they are subject to different rules and obligations under the program).
• Enterprises seeking to export or return their firearms to the manufacturer, as these activities are outside the scope of the compensation program.

Eligible expenses

• Compensation for each eligible assault-style firearm, device, part, or component turned in under the program.
• Administrative payment of $250 per firearm turned in to offset processing, packaging, inventory, and holding costs incurred since the 2020 prohibition.
• Reimbursement of shipping costs for firearms, devices, parts, and components turned in, upon submission of carrier receipt.
• Flat rate fee of $400 per firearm for deactivation by an authorized business ($700 for firearms with a muzzle energy greater than 10,000 Joules or a bore diameter of 20 mm or greater).

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses located anywhere in Canada.

• Step 1: Create ASFCP Account
  • An authorized business representative must register an account on the ASFCP online portal.
  • Provide full name, date of birth, email address, Business Licence Number (BLN), and Business Identification Number (BIN).
  • Allow up to 24 hours for your account to be registered in the system.
• Step 2: Prepare Claim Information
  • Verify the pre-populated list of eligible restricted and registered firearms in your account (firearm reference number, make, model, serial number).
  • Add information for prohibited, previously non-restricted firearms (firearm reference number, make, model, serial number, capacity, gauge/calibre, barrel length).
  • Prepare a list of any devices, parts, and components in your inventory before May 2020, December 2024, or March 2025.
  • Gather your bank account information for direct deposit.
• Step 3: Submit Claim for Compensation
  • Log in to your ASFCP account and complete the claim form with accurate inventory details.
  • Save your progress as needed; it should take 15–20 minutes depending on the volume of items.
  • Submit the completed claim through the portal.
• Step 4: Choose Disposal Option
  • When submitting your claim, select one of the following options for each item: turn in to a specified facility, permanently deactivate, export outside Canada, or return to manufacturer (last two options are outside ASFCP and not eligible for compensation).
• Step 5: Coordinate Shipment or Deactivation
  • For turn-in: Program staff will contact you by phone within 5-7 business days after claim submission to coordinate shipment details (date and location).
  • Prepare, package, and label firearms, devices, parts, or components according to all regulations.
  • Arrange shipment via an approved carrier, print your unique claim number visibly on the package, and do not ship before being contacted by the program.
  • Upload the carrier’s receipt and tracking number in your ASFCP account for reimbursement of shipping costs.
  • For deactivation: Coordinate with a certified business to permanently deactivate firearms, keep all receipts, and upload them with any required forms to your account. Shipping costs for deactivation are not reimbursed.
• Step 6: Validation and Payment
  • Once your shipment is received and validated, or deactivation documentation is approved, payment will be issued via direct deposit within 45 business days if no additional review is required.
  • Ensure direct deposit information in your account is current to avoid payment delays.
• Step 7: Access Support if Needed
  • Business representatives with questions can contact program support by phone at 1-833-759-4551 (Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm EST) or use the Help Centre within the ASFCP account.

• Compensation payments are typically processed within 45 business days once all required validations are completed and no further review is necessary.
• Administrative payments of $250 are provided for each firearm turned in to offset processing and packaging costs.
• Shipping costs for turning in firearms can be reimbursed and should be included with the claim payment documentation.
• Deactivation compensation is a flat rate and does not include additional administrative payments or reimbursement of shipping costs.