On October 1, 2026, British Columbia’s Firearm Violence Prevention Act officially comes into force. The Act was first passed in 2021, but it sat largely uncommenced for five years. The version taking effect now is significantly different from the original bill, and for lawful firearms owners, most of those differences are good news.
A different law than the one first proposed
When the Act was introduced in 2021, many in B.C.’s hunting and sport shooting community were concerned about how broadly some provisions could apply to lawful activity. The final regulatory framework addresses many of those concerns. It includes explicit exemptions for hunting, sport shooting, firearms education and training, and other lawful firearms activities. It also leaves significant portions of the Act uncommenced, meaning those sections are law on paper but not in effect.
Relief for shooting ranges
Some sections of the original Act would have created significant financial hardship for B.C.’s shooting ranges, many of which are run by volunteer clubs. The BC Wildlife Federation advocated for changes to those provisions, and through Order in Council 156/2026, they have been excluded from commencement. It’s a meaningful outcome for the clubs and volunteers who keep B.C.’s ranges running as safe, controlled environments for training and competition. The regulations also allow exemptions for recognized shooting competitions held on certain properties.
Firearms in vehicles: higher fines
Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle has always been illegal in B.C. What changes is the penalty: the fine rises from $230 to $575. Discharging a firearm from a vehicle or boat carries a fine of $1,150 under the new Act. For comparison, the related Wildlife Act fine is $1,495. The simplest way to stay on the right side of the law is to unload before you get in the vehicle, every time.
A safer, more ethical platform on the water
For provincially managed species, the Act creates an exemption from its general prohibition on discharging a firearm from a boat. Hunters may have a loaded firearm and discharge it from a boat, as long as the boat is not being propelled by its motor. Firearms must be loaded only once the boat is stationary. A boat held in place by its motor in moving water counts as stationary.
The goal is a safer, more ethical shooting platform. A boat held steady in the current is a more stable place to take a shot than one drifting downstream.
This exemption applies only to provincially managed species. Migratory birds, including ducks and geese, are managed federally. When you hunt waterfowl, the federal Migratory Birds Regulations and their rules on motorized boats still govern. The Wildlife Act and B.C. hunting regulations also continue to apply, so review the current B.C. Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis before you head out.
The bottom line
The Act B.C. hunters and sport shooters are getting in 2026 reflects years of engagement from the firearms community, including the BC Wildlife Federation. Lawful hunting, sport shooting and training are explicitly protected, and ranges have been spared the most costly provisions. The rules that remain, especially around vehicles and boats, carry real fines. Know them before the season.
For the full text of the Act and its regulations, visit BC Laws at bclaws.gov.bc.ca