Airgun law · Canada

Are Airguns Legal in Nova Scotia?

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.

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Nova Scotia 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 NS-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 Wildlife Act for hunting.

Hunting with an airgun

Air guns are not among the legal hunting weapons listed in the Hunting and Furharvesting Summary (rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows and crossbows only)

Deer

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed (air guns are not a listed big-game method)

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

Unresolved

Small game

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed (air guns are not among the legal small-game weapons; game birds may not be taken with a single projectile)

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

Unresolved: air guns are not named in the furbearer or coyote/other-harvestable-wildlife weapon lists (rifle of .22 calibre or less, shotgun loaded with shot, muzzleloader of .40 calibre or less, bow, crossbow), and neither the summary nor the Firearm and Bow Regulations say whether an air rifle counts as a '.22 calibre or less' rifle; only a .22 rimfire rifle is listed for night raccoon hunting and for dispatching trapped animals

Other big game

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed (air guns are not a listed big-game method for black bear)

Notes

Verify the current Hunting & Furharvesting Stamp Summary before any hunt.

Local rules that still apply

Halifax Regional Municipality

Municipal discharge bylaws apply within urban limits.

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.