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Airgun law · Canada

Are Airguns Legal in New Brunswick?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.

Tier 3: Moderate

Standard provincial framework with hunting rules and some municipal variance.

NB

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive New Brunswick is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationFederal framework governs
Age rule18+ for PAL
PossessionPAL required (above threshold)
Transfer / saleStandard PAL process (above threshold)
TransportFederal STDR (above threshold)
Provincial layerFederal floor only

The rules in detail

Classification
Federal framework governs
Federal framework governs.
Age rule
18+ for PAL
18+ for PAL. No NB-specific airgun age verified below threshold.
Possession
PAL required (above threshold)
Lawful for adults below threshold; PAL required above.
Transfer / sale
Standard PAL process (above threshold)
Below threshold: no provincial process. Above: standard non-restricted firearm process.
Transport
Federal STDR (above threshold)
Below threshold: no province-specific rule. Above: federal STDR applies.
Provincial layer
Federal floor only
Federal for firearms; provincial Fish and Wildlife Act for hunting.

Hunting with an airgun

Air and pellet guns are a listed method for Varmint and Bird and Small Game hunting (e.g., grouse, varying hare, squirrel, raccoon, skunk, coyote, groundhog); not allowed for deer, moose, bear, wild turkey, pheasant or migratory game birds

Deer
Not allowed / prohibited
Not allowed (deer hunters must use a centre-fire rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow or crossbow)
Turkey
Not allowed / prohibited
Not allowed (wild turkey: shotgun, bow or crossbow only)
Small game
Allowed with conditions
Allowed: air and pellet guns are listed legal firearms for Bird and Small Game (grouse, varying hare, squirrel) and Varmint licences; pheasant is shotgun, bow or crossbow only
Predators
Allowed with conditions
Allowed with conditions: raccoon and skunk (Bird and Small Game licence) and coyote and groundhog (Bird and Small Game or Varmint licence) may be hunted with an air or pellet gun; fox, bobcat and other furbearers are hunted or trapped under a Fur Harvester's Licence
Other big game
Not allowed / prohibited
Not allowed (moose and bear hunters must use a centre-fire rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow or crossbow)
Notes
Verify the current Hunting Summary issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development before any hunt.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.→Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.→Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.→

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.