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Airgun law · Canada

Are Airguns Legal in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes. Airguns are legal here for adults.

No meaningful state or national barrier for adult buyers, though local rules can still apply.

Tier 4: Permissive

Minimal provincial-level barrier beyond the federal floor. Local rules may still apply.

NL

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Newfoundland and Labrador 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 NL-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 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 Wild Life Act for hunting.

Hunting with an airgun

Largely rural province; small-game and ptarmigan tradition is well-established. Specific airgun rules not located in source set.

Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved (note: there are no native white-tailed deer in NL; moose and caribou are the big game)
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved (no native turkey population)
Small game
Explicitly allowed
Allowed under general framework (rabbit/hare, ptarmigan tradition is rooted in rural use)
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Other big game
Not allowed / prohibited
Not allowed in practice (a rifle used for moose, caribou or black bear must be .243 calibre or larger and fire a bullet of at least 100 grains with at least 1,500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy; NL law counts compressed-air guns as firearms)
Notes
The Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide is the authoritative source. Confirm method legality and licensing 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.