New here? Read this first.
Canadian Firearms Exchange is a member-to-member marketplace for licensed Canadian firearm owners. Below is the short version of how joining, verification, and dealing with other members works. This page is maintained by Canadian Firearms Exchange and is a summary — it does not replace the Firearms Act, Canadian Firearms Program guidance, or our full guidelines.
Signing up
Who can join?
Canadian residents who hold a valid PAL or RPAL, or who want to buy and sell non-firearm gear such as optics, reloading supplies, hunting equipment and archery. Accounts are individual — no shared logins.
What do I need to create an account?
An email address you control, a username, your province, and your postal code. You confirm your email before your account becomes active, and every sign-in afterwards uses a one-time code emailed to you (two-step verification is mandatory and can't be turned off).
Can I bring my reputation from another marketplace?
Yes. During sign-up you can declare feedback from Canadian Gun Nutz, Gunpost, Town Post or another site. It shows on your profile as member-reported until an administrator verifies it.
Verification
Why do you verify identity?
Verification keeps the marketplace to real, accountable Canadians. It deters fraud, makes disputes resolvable, and it is why members can trust that the person on the other end of a deal exists.
What does verification involve?
You provide your legal name, province and postal code, and complete a $0 card authorization through our payment processor. It confirms your name and address match a real Canadian payment method. Full card numbers never touch our servers — we store only the last four digits.
When does it happen?
You submit your details at sign-up, they're held securely, and your verification completes once you confirm your email address. Until you're verified you can browse, but you can't list, message, or transact.
Do you check my firearms licence?
We do not act as a licensing authority. Licence checks happen between the buyer and seller through the Canadian Firearms Program at the point of transfer, exactly as the law requires.
Compliance
Who is responsible for a lawful transfer?
You are — both sides of the deal. For a non-restricted firearm the seller must verify the buyer's PAL with the Canadian Firearms Program (1-800-731-4000 or CFP Online) before the firearm changes hands. For a restricted firearm the transfer must be approved and registered by the CFP before the buyer takes possession.
What can't be listed?
Prohibited firearms, devices and magazines, anything captured by the May 2020 Order in Council, and any item you can't lawfully transfer to another Canadian. Listings are reviewed and non-compliant ones are removed.
Any provincial rules I should know about?
Some provinces and territories add their own restrictions and shipping limits. Filter listings by province and confirm local rules before you commit to a deal.
Do I need to keep records?
Yes. Keep the CFP transfer reference number, the other member's name, the make, model and serial number, plus the date and price. Those records protect you if a transfer is ever questioned.
Dealing with other members
How do I contact a seller?
Use the message button on the listing. Keep negotiation and transfer coordination inside platform messaging — it creates a record we can refer to if a dispute arises and protects you from impersonation.
How does payment work?
Payment is arranged directly between members. We don't hold funds. Never send money, documents, or a firearm before the other member is confirmed and the CFP transfer process is complete.
What if something goes wrong?
Report the listing or profile using the report button, or email admin@canadianfirearmsexchange.ca. We review reports promptly, can suspend accounts, and cooperate with law enforcement where required.
How does feedback work?
After a completed deal each side can leave feedback. It's permanent and public on your profile, so a clean record is the most valuable thing you own here.
Ready to go deeper?
Read the Buyer Guidelines, Seller Guidelines, and our compliance overview. For authoritative answers on licensing and transfers, contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 or CFP Online. For platform questions, email admin@canadianfirearmsexchange.ca.