Quoted:
All firearms including shotguns, and other hunting rifles, wether produced or owned before Bill C-68 must be registered as of 2003, the only exception being firearms considered antiques.
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If you acquire the gun after Dec 1 1998, the law says it must be registered. If you already have the gun, hold off on registering. It costs you nothing to wait and you are not legally required to register your own guns until Jan 1 2003. By then there will likely have been another election and there is a good chance that all or part of C-68 may have changed. Besides, guns seem to be worth more without paperwork at this point.
As Scarecrow points out, not all shotguns or hunting rifles are firearms. Certain firearms, including brand new firearms, have been designated as antiques and do not have to be registered, nor do they require a license. The regulations prescribing antique firearms are available at
[URL]http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/cfm/ENGLISH/TOPICS/02WEAPON/0201000F.HTM[/URL]
Other exceptions can be convoluted and are covered in CC S.83 which is available at
[URL]http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/cfm/ENGLISH/LEG/CC/0840000D.HTM#S084_03[/URL]
As usual with this law, there are exceptions to the exceptions. Exceptions to the exceptions are outlined in section five of the page at
[URL]http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/cfm/ENGLISH/TOPICS/02WEAPON/0200200F.HTM[/URL]
Edited to add that all the above means that flintlock or fuse-ignited cannon are also exempt. [whacko] Your 1880 single shot 22 rimfire rifle must be registered, but a brand new 6" cannon is exempt.