RCMP Data: Most Crime Guns in Canada Domestically Sourced

RCMP Tracing Centre Releases Latest Crime Gun Figures

The vast majority of crime guns traced by the RCMP to identifiable sources in 2023 and 2024 came from within Canada and were not smuggled from abroad, according to internal reports prepared by the national police force. The analyses found almost all of the long guns traced — and a substantial number of the handguns — were domestically sourced.

The figures, the latest available from the RCMP, provide new insights into the origins of firearms involved in crimes ranging from break and enter to homicide. The Canadian Press used the Access to Information Act to obtain the May 2024 and September 2025 reports by the RCMP's Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre and the force's Criminal Firearms Strategic and Operational Support Services.

Breakdown of 2024 Firearm Traces

In 2024, the RCMP centre completed 6,951 firearm traces. Of these, 4,197 were identified as crime guns — 2,814 of which had a known source. The centre reports that 71 per cent of those firearms traced in 2024 were domestically sourced long guns, 17 per cent were smuggled handguns, nine per cent were domestically sourced handguns and two per cent were smuggled long guns. A small number of firearms were not categorized as either long guns or handguns.

Sixty-seven of the crime gun traces in 2024 turned up privately manufactured firearms, sometimes called homemade "ghost guns." Among the completed firearm traces where the source of the firearm and its type of action were known, semi-automatics were found to be the most common.

Of the crime gun traces completed in 2024, four per cent had a link to organized crime, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, street gangs and traditional organized crime. Of these 184 firearms, 147 were domestically sourced and 37 were smuggled.

Comparison With 2023 Tracing Results

The RCMP's May 2024 report says that of the crime gun traces in 2023 where the firearm's source could be identified, 86 per cent were deemed to have been domestically sourced and 14 per cent were smuggled. These consistent patterns across two years underscore the predominance of Canadian-origin firearms in traced criminal activity.

The reports point out that the analyses, which include only traces by the RCMP centre, are not representative of the total number of gun traces in Ontario and Quebec — provinces that have their own tracing agencies. This jurisdictional distinction remains important when assessing national trends in firearm-related crime.

Federal Firearms Bans and Buyback Program

Since May 2020, the federal government has outlawed about 2,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14. Ottawa says these firearms belong only on the battlefield and are not suitable for hunting or sport shooting. The government has initiated a program to compensate firearm owners for turning in or deactivating banned guns.

The Conservative party and some firearm owners have characterized the bans and buyback program as a wasteful exercise that targets law-abiding citizens. Some critics of the effort have urged Ottawa to focus instead on preventing guns from being smuggled into Canada from the United States.

Expert Analysis on Domestic Versus Smuggled Firearms

The RCMP figures help paint a broader picture of crime guns in Canada that goes beyond high-profile shootings in urban centres, said Blake Brown, a historian at Saint Mary's University in Halifax who has authored a history of gun control in Canada. "I think it highlights the extent to which domestic firearms are often used in crimes across the country," Brown said in an interview. "You're probably seeing a lot of incidents where these guns are being used in rural areas, particularly, and a lot of those guns … they're not handguns flowing into Toronto across the border, they're long guns that are owned by large swaths of people in rural parts of Canada."

The RCMP declined to comment on how the force's findings align with the widespread belief that crime guns generally flow into Canada from south of the border. "The Canadian Firearms Program's role is to provide information regarding its mandate and activities and does not extend to commenting on public perceptions or speculation," said Marie-Eve Breton, an RCMP spokeswoman. Breton said the RCMP's 2026 report, based on 2025 tracing figures, is not yet complete.

Policy Implications for Public Safety and Rural Communities

These tracing results carry direct relevance for federal-provincial discussions on public safety. While border enforcement remains a priority for the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency, the data suggest that measures addressing legal firearms already in circulation within Canada may also warrant attention from Parliament Hill.

Provincial police forces in Ontario and Quebec operate separate tracing systems, meaning the national picture remains incomplete. Coordination between the RCMP centre and these provincial agencies could strengthen future analyses and support more targeted interventions in both urban and rural settings.

Canadian values of fairness and evidence-based policy continue to shape the debate. The emphasis on domestic sourcing invites renewed focus on secure storage requirements, licensing compliance, and theft prevention programs administered through the Canadian Firearms Program.

Looking Ahead to Future Reports

The RCMP's next annual tracing report, covering 2025 data, is expected in 2026. Until then, the 2023 and 2024 figures stand as the most recent comprehensive evidence available through Access to Information requests.

Stakeholders across the political spectrum will likely reference these numbers as Parliament considers adjustments to the banned firearms list and the ongoing buyback initiative. Continued transparency from the Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre will remain essential for informed public discussion.

By Alex Thompson, Staff Writer