Airgun law · Canada

Are Airguns Legal in Ontario?

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 Ontario 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

Before you buy or sell

Big game hunting with airguns is explicitly prohibited.
Air pistols for hunting must be below 500 fps.

The rules in detail

Classification

Federal framework governs

Federal framework governs the firearm question.

Age rule

18+ for PAL

18+ for PAL. No Ontario-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. Some municipalities have additional discharge bylaws.

Provincial layer

Federal floor only

Federal for firearms; provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act controls hunting methods.

Hunting with an airgun

Explicit small-game-only allowance for airguns; not permitted for big game

Deer

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed (Ontario regulations explicitly prohibit airguns for big game)

Turkey

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed for wild turkey hunting (turkey is classified with big game for method purposes)

Small game

Explicitly allowed

Allowed — air and pellet guns are an enumerated small-game firearm under Ontario regulations

Predators

Allowed with conditions

Allowed (small-game method category — verify per species)

Other big game

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed

Caliber / FPE minimums

Air pistols for hunting must have muzzle velocity less than 152 m/s (500 fps) — i.e. only 'uncontrolled' air pistols are permitted as a hunting method.

Power source rules

Any (no PCP-specific requirement).

Notes

Ontario's framework is the cleanest small-game / no-big-game split in Canada. Air rifles and pellet guns are explicitly listed as legal hunting firearms for small game.

Local rules that still apply

City of Toronto

Municipal discharge bylaws prohibit airgun use within urban limits except at approved ranges.

Aulneau Peninsula (WMU 7A)

Aug 15 – Dec 15: cannot use a centre-fire rifle or shotgun loaded with ball or shot larger than #2 lead / triple BBB steel / double BB bismuth (general rule that overlaps airgun-relevant zones).

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, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.