Skip to main content

Ontario, Canada Chief Firearms Officer Comments on AR-15 Buying Surge and Gun Licensing

Ontario, Canada Chief Firearms Officer Comments on AR-15 Buying Surge and Gun Licensing

Dwight Peer, the Chief Firearms Officer for Ontario, comments below on the Canada-wide surge in buying AR-15 target rifles in May and June, gun-owner licensing, and related topics.

Peer spoke with TheGunBlog.ca on July 4 at his office in Orillia, about 130 km north of Toronto.

Ontario Chief Firearms Officer (CFO)

  • Dwight Peer
  • Superintendent, Ontario Provincial Police
  • Age, 53
  • Appointed by Ontario Liberal Party government in October 2017

Ontario Chief Firearms Office

  • Based in Orillia, Ontario
  • About 60 full-time staff
  • Main responsibilities
    • Work with RCMP to issue, refuse or revoke firearm Possession and Acquisition Licenses (PAL)
    • Review and authorize ownership transfers of so-called “Restricted” and “Prohibited” firearms when they are bought, sold, given away or traded
    • Review and authorize requests for firearm Authorization To Transport (ATT)
    • Authorize shooting ranges

Ontario Snapshot

  • PAL Holders: 620,000 (About 28% of Canadian total)
  • Firearm/Ammunition businesses: 1,100
  • Shooting Ranges & Clubs: 275

Q&A with Ontario CFO Dwight Peer

AR-15 Buying Surge

GB: How did the increase in AR-15 purchases affect your operations?
DP: It was the community reacting to expected changes in legislation.

What we try to do is properly scrutinize any transfer activity, and not hold up transfers unnecessarily. Our standard is to process transfers within 14 days. We have to provide the proper level of scrutiny.

GB: How did things go?
DP: We had minimal complaints. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the community during that time.

GB: It felt like a buying surge. Can you say how many more AR-15s were purchased in Ontario in May and June compared with past levels?
DP: Let’s say it was higher than normal.

Licensing

Recommended


GB: What do you consider when you assess people for a gun license?
DP: The responsibility and discipline that go with that license is of utmost concern. We are about public safety as it applies to the license. We look at it from the point of view of: Does the licensee have… CONTINUE READING HERE




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Gear

Firearms News Gets the Rundown on Burris's New XTR-PS

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

SDS Arms Releases New Tactical Shotgun Lineup

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

New Hunting Shotguns Available in Mossy Oak and Realtree Camo

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

Inglis MFG Launches New P35 Pistol

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

MAC Firearms unveils New 5' Comp Barreled Double Stack 1911

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Gear

New Iron Lady Gun Safes from ATI

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

American Tactical Releases GSG Anniversary 1911 Pistol

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Gear

First Look at ATI's new Rukx Rifle Case

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

American Tactical Showcases their Latest GSG-16 22 LR Pistol and 410 Bull Dog Shotgun

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

ATI Launches New Double and Triple Barreled Shotguns for 2025

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Gear

New Glock 17/19 18-Round Magazines Offered by Mec-Gar

KelTec releases their PR57 pistol and SUB2000 rifle in 5.7x28mm as the demand grows for more firearms in this unique and...
Guns

KelTec Launches PR57 Pistol: The Best and Lightest 5.7

Firearms News Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW OUR CURRENT ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Firearms News App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Firearms News stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Firearms News subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Firearms News stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use