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Report a public safety concern
If your concern is urgent or life-threatening, call 911.
If your concern is not urgent, contact the Canadian Firearms Program.
Overview
Alberta administers the federal Canadian Firearms Program to:
- oversee firearms licences and registration
- maintain provincial firearms safety training standards
- assist and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to help enhance public safety
- inform Albertans about firearms safety
- advocate for law-abiding firearms owners
Alberta’s Chief Firearms Office collaborates with partners to:
- reduce smuggling and straw purchasing
- crack down on firearms theft
- protect Albertans’ property rights
Firearms in Canada are regulated by the federal Firearms Act and Part III of the Criminal Code.
The Government of Alberta administers the Canadian Firearms Program in the province, while the federal government is responsible for creating firearms legislation and regulations in Canada.
Background
The Fair Deal Panel consulted tens of thousands of Albertans through in-person town hall meetings, an online survey and stakeholder interviews to get input on how best to secure a fair deal for Alberta. One of the panel’s recommendations, released in May 2020, was to appoint a Chief Firearms Officer for Alberta.
As a result, the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee was established to provide recommendations on how Alberta can:
- better assert areas of provincial jurisdiction
- respect law-abiding Albertans long history of responsible firearms ownership
Roles and responsibilities
There are 30 full-time staff across 7 branches to ensure Alberta’s Chief Firearms Office provides excellent and consistent services across the province.
Branches are located in:
- Edmonton
- Calgary
- Coaldale
- Grande Prairie
- Red Deer
- Vegreville
- Fort McMurray
Under the direction of Alberta’s Chief Firearms Officer, these professionals – firearms officers, firearms agents and other program staff – help the Chief Firearms Officer for Alberta fulfill their duties, which include:
- licensing individuals and businesses, such as retailers and museums
- conducting ongoing inspections of Alberta’s 326,000 individual licence holders to ensure they continue to be meet eligibility criteria
- approving and monitoring shooting clubs and ranges
- overseeing firearms safety courses
- updating records
- following courts orders to ensure public safety
- approving firearm purchases and sales
- issuing authorizations to transport and carry firearms
- providing assistance to police investigations
- licensing affidavits for court purposes
- attending hearings as a witness
- designating and licensing firearms instructors and examiners
Chief Firearms Officer
-
Teri Bryant
Bryant was a member of the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee. She served as the secretary of the Alberta Arms and Cartridge Collectors Association for the past 16 years and is the president of the Military Collectors Club of Canada. Bryant was an associate professor with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary on national and international business.
As Chief Firearms Officer, Bryant will demonstrate that public safety and a flourishing firearms community are mutually complementary goals. She will ensure that we preserve for future generations a firearms heritage that reflects Alberta’s values of safety, responsibility and respect for individual rights.
In the community
A major part of Alberta’s Chief Firearms Officer’s role is to help bond Alberta’s law-abiding firearms community together. The ACFO will have a strong presence in Alberta, connecting with stakeholders across the province to explain how the office advocates for law-abiding firearms owners and focus on safety.
If you would like the ACFO to attend an event in your community, contact us.
News
Alberta names chief firearms officer (August 26, 2021)
Feedback
If you have any suggestions that would help us enhance the administration of the Canadian Firearms Program, let us know. Unfortunately, we cannot reply to every suggestion, but your feedback will be used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.
For feedback and questions about the administration of the Canadian Firearms Program, contact us.
Contact
Connect with Alberta’s Chief Firearms Office:
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Alberta Chief Firearms Office
PO Box 458, Station Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 2K1
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