Are Canada's 'red flag' gun laws working? No one can say

"Red flag" orders were billed as a faster, simpler way to keep Canadian communities safe by temporarily removing legal firearms from the hands of those who might do themselves — or others — harm. They were part of a suite of gun control measures introduced in the wake of 2020's Portapique, N.S., mass shooting, the deadliest in the country's history. 

But more than two years after the orders finally became federal law, it's unclear if they are working as designed — because no one appears to be keeping track of when, where or how often they are being implemented. 

Following the February tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., where a shooter killed eight victims and then herself, CBC News sought details about the use of red flag orders across Canada. (The RCMP has said that several firearms were seized from the shooter's family home under red flag provisions, but later returned after their legal owner went to court.)

The country's 11 provincial and territorial chief firearms officers — in charge of issuing and revoking gun licences — said they have no data on such seizures. So too did the Ontario Provincial Police, Sûreté du Québec and the federal Public Safety ministry. 

The RCMP, which oversees the Canadian Firearms Program and its database, also initially said it had no information on red flag orders. But in a subsequent email, a spokesperson said the force had found a single case.

"Since December 15, 2023, one 'red flag' order was reported to the Canadian Firearms Program and recorded in the Canadian Firearms Information System," the email noted.

That case was not the Tumbler Ridge red flag that the force previously disclosed, but rather a 2025 order in Ontario. 

Under the law, anyone can bring concerns about someone with access to firearms to the attention of authorities. A provincial or territorial court judge then determines whether there are grounds to issue an emergency prohibition order, under which guns can be seized for up to 30 days.

As part of that process, the owner's firearms licence is also supposed to be revoked for the duration of the order, preventing them from buying ammunition, parts or additional guns.

In a statement to CBC News, Public Safety Canada said the courts "must inform" the regional chief firearms officer of "any prohibition order that they make, vary or revoke." That information is then supposed to be updated in the Canadian Firearms Information System, which in turn helps businesses verify whether purchasers hold a valid licence.

The CFOs are also supposed to be responsible for issuing official notices of revocation, informing gun owners that they must hand over their firearms and licence to police within 24 hours.

It's unclear if that process isn't being respected, or whether courts and police simply aren't applying the red flag measures. 

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree declined an interview request, and his office said it was not in a position to respond to CBC News questions about the data gap.

"The safety of Canadians remains the minister’s top priority," said a spokesperson. "Questions about how the regime is applied and tracked fall under the operational responsibilities of the CFOs and the RCMP, who maintain the systems and processes involved."