Key Takeaways
- The majority of crime guns traced by the RCMP in 2023‑2024 originated domestically rather than being smuggled from abroad.
- In 2024, 71 % of traced crime guns were domestically sourced long guns, while only 17 % were smuggled handguns.
- Semi‑automatic firearms were the most common action type among traced crime guns.
- Privately manufactured “ghost guns” accounted for a small but notable share (≈1 %) of traced crime guns in 2024.
- Only about 4 % of traced crime guns were linked to organized crime groups, the vast majority of which were also domestically sourced.
- The RCMP’s tracing data do not cover Ontario and Quebec, which maintain their own tracing agencies, limiting national representativeness.
- Federal bans on roughly 2,500 firearm models (including AR‑15‑style rifles) and a corresponding buy‑back program remain controversial, with critics arguing resources should focus on preventing U.S. smuggling instead.
Overview of RCMP Firearm Tracing Data for 2023‑2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre completed 6,951 firearm traces in 2024, of which 4,197 were identified as crime guns. A source could be determined for 2,814 of those crime guns, forming the basis for the percentages reported in the internal May 2024 and September 2025 analyses. These figures represent the most recent, comprehensive snapshot of the origins of firearms involved in a range of criminal offences, from break‑and‑enter to homicide, as obtained by The Canadian Press through Access to Information requests.
Domestic versus Smuggled Sources
Of the 2,814 crime guns with a known source in 2024, 71 % were domestically sourced long guns, 17 % were smuggled handguns, 9 % were domestically sourced handguns, and 2 % were smuggled long guns. The remaining traces fell into uncategorised firearm types. This breakdown shows that domestically sourced long guns overwhelmingly dominate the crime gun picture, while smuggling contributes a smaller but still significant portion, particularly among handguns.
Trends from 2023 to 2024
The May 2024 report covering 2023 data indicated that, when a source could be identified, 86 % of crime guns were domestically sourced and 14 % were smuggled. The shift to a slightly higher proportion of smuggled handguns in 2024 (17 % versus 14 %) suggests a modest increase in illicit cross‑border flow, though domestic long guns remain the predominant category. The data underscore that the majority of crime guns continue to come from within Canada rather than being primarily imported.
Firearm Action Types and Categories
Among traced crime guns where both the source and the type of action were known, semi‑automatic firearms were the most common. This pattern held across both domestically sourced and smuggled weapons, reflecting the prevalence of semi‑automatic designs in legal Canadian ownership and their appeal for illicit use. The RCMP definition of “crime gun” includes firearms used or suspected in criminal offences, guns with obliterated or altered serial numbers, found but unreported lost/stolen firearms, and replicas, toys, 3D‑printed guns, pellet or air guns employed in crimes.
Privately Manufactured “Ghost Guns”
In 2024, 67 of the completed crime gun traces involved privately manufactured firearms, often referred to as homemade “ghost guns.” Although this number represents a small fraction of the total traced crime guns (approximately 1.6 %), it highlights a growing concern about untraceable, self‑assembled weapons that can evade traditional registration and tracking mechanisms.
Links to Organized Crime
Only four per cent of the crime gun traces in 2024 showed a connection to organized crime groups, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, street gangs, or traditional organized crime syndicates. Of the 184 firearms linked to organized crime, 147 were domestically sourced and 37 were smuggled. This indicates that while organized crime does utilize firearms, the majority of its weapons also originate domestically, reinforcing the broader trend of internal sourcing.
Limitations of the RCMP Dataset
The RCMP cautions that its tracing analyses are not representative of the total number of gun traces nationwide. Ontario and Quebec operate independent firearms tracing agencies, and their data are excluded from the RCMP figures. Consequently, the reported percentages may under‑ or over‑represent smuggling or domestic sourcing in those provinces, and a complete national picture would require integration of provincial tracing data.
Impact of Federal Firearm Bans and Buy‑Back Program
Since May 2020, the federal government has prohibited roughly 2,500 firearm models, including the AR‑15 and Ruger Mini‑14, asserting that such weapons belong only on the battlefield. A compensation program encourages owners to turn in or deactivate banned guns. The Conservative Party and some firearm owners have criticised the bans and buy‑back as wasteful, arguing they target law‑abiding citizens rather than addressing illicit flows. Critics have urged Ottawa to concentrate resources on preventing U.S. smuggling instead of focusing on domestic stockpiles.
Expert Perspective on Domestic Firearms in Crime
Blake Brown, a historian at Saint Mary’s University specializing in Canadian gun control, noted that the RCMP data highlight the extent to which domestic firearms are used in crimes across the country. He suggested that many incidents involve long guns owned by rural residents rather than handguns smuggled into urban centres like Toronto. This viewpoint aligns with the trace results showing a strong prevalence of domestically sourced long guns in criminal activity.
RCMP Stance on Public Perception
When asked whether the findings challenge the common belief that most crime guns enter Canada from the United States, the RCMP declined to comment on public perceptions or speculation. An RCMP spokeswoman emphasized that the Canadian Firearms Program’s role is to provide information about its mandate and activities, not to engage in commentary on prevailing narratives or rumors.
Future Reporting
The RCMP indicated that its 2026 report, based on 2025 tracing figures, is still pending completion. Once released, it will offer an updated view of crime gun sourcing trends and may reveal whether the observed patterns persist, shift, or evolve in response to legislative changes, law‑enforcement efforts, or alterations in illicit firearms markets.