When it comes to Canada’s often tense debate on arms laws, most Canadians will probably have not heard of an RCMP database called Firearms Reference Table, or FRT.
But for people like Melody Philistin, unexpected updates of this database have a personal impact.
“Yes. It really stinks,” he said.
Philistin is a competitive shooter who recently represented Canada in an international event in the Czech Republic.
After one of his firearms was prohibited last year, he trained for the competition using Sterling Arms R9 MK1, a nine -millimeter semi -automatic rifle.
“We were using those religious to practice,” he said.
Earlier this month, Philistin learned that the rifle had been classified in the FRT as forbidden. Forbidden firearms cannot be used legally, sold, imported or transferred to another individual.
“Now it’s a pisapapeles. He is simply there,” he said.
“There is nothing we can do. What stinks is that [the R9 MK1] It was a kind of last hope to [pistol-calibre carbine shooting] In Canada “.
The decision calculated JR Cox, the head of the Firearms Company based in Calgary, Sterling Arms International, forcing his company to what he described as “crisis mode.” He had to fire five of his seven employees and had already sent R9 MK1 units to traffickers when he hit the ban.
So what is the FRT and why arms manufacturers and arms control defenders are pressing so that the rules change?
WHAT THE FRT IS USED
The FRT is a database used by the RCMP to help classify firearms. This classification determines whether a weapon is not restricted, restricted or prohibited.
Technically, the FRT is not a legal instrument, but only an internal RCMP tool based on definitions established in the Law of Criminal Code and Firearms. But in practice?
“It is both the law and not the law,” said AJ Somerset, author of Weapons: the culture and creed of the weapon.
“Strictly speaking, it is an opinion of the RCMP. And if they say that a certain rifle is a variant of the AR-15 in the FRT, that still has to be tested in court.
“However, it is a de facto law. Because anyone who wants to possess such a firearm or manufacture it or import that in front of criminal charges if it does. And it is obviously very expensive and risky to do so and then defend themselves in court.”
What happened to the R9?
Sterling Arms International designed the R9 MK1 with the aim of meeting the standards for a non -restricted firearm. Cox said he presented technical documents to the RCMP in July 2024.
The RCMP said he inspected the firearm in June 2025. COX said it was determined that it was a variant of a previously prohibited gun, the AR-180b armalite.
Since then, Cox has been disputing the classification, arguing that the R9 MK1 is a semi -automatic sports rifle with a camera only in a caliber gun cartridge. You can’t become completely automatic fire, Cox said.
“My firearm has nothing in common with the firearm that they say is a variant,” he said, arguing that the only interchangeable part in the rifles is the trigger.
Meanwhile, your business remains in a terrible narrow.
“Distributors are not happy, we are not happy too, but now we have dozens and dozens of firearms that are in limbo,” Cox said.
“Distributors have them, have paid them. Obviously, they don’t want them, and I’m not in a position to recover them all.”
While Cox said the RCMP has indicated that it can re -examine the classification if it provides additional technical details, there is no formal appeal process.
“I am at the mercy of the RCMP,” he said. “So, the fact that they have said, well, hey, we are willing to take a look at this again. Is that lipstick in a pig or will there be an honest reevaluation?”
Reform from both sides
Wes Winkel, president of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Munion Association, said this is not the first time something like that happens.
“Sometimes they add a complete group [to the FRT]And then sometimes it’s just a gun at the same time, “he said.
For arms owners who do not track updates, this can be a problem.
“Then, they bought a firearm that think they can get Turkey Hunting or whatever, and then, suddenly, they are trapped in the field with him, and is included in the FRT as forbidden,” he said. “There are many ramifications to wear a prohibited firearm in Canada.”
Weapons control defenders also want changes. Groups like Polysesouvient argue that the problem is that firearms such as R9 can reach the market before the RCMP finishes evaluating them.
“The problem of manufacturers who introduce new models in the market based on their own interpretations is at the root of this type of problematic situation, where the RCMP has to catch up after the models begin to sell to Canadians,” says a statement attributed to Polysesouvient, sent to CBC News.
The group said there were many examples of erroneous classifications of the industry, including the labeling of prohibited weapons.
“Which is a great public security concern in addition to the inconveniences that this causes those who bought them,” said the group. “Liberals have repeatedly promised to change the process so that RCMP veterinarians and classify new models before reaching the Canadian market.
“The previous liberal government presented regulations for this purpose, but these are defective and need to be solved, since they essentially change anything. During the last elections, Mark Carney has promised that this would be done.”
Canadian doctors for weapons protection, another weapons control group, agrees.
“CDPG has asked the RCMP to check the weapons before coming to the market to ensure that they meet the definition of forbidden firearm,” said Christopher Holcroft, group spokesman, in an email to CBC News.
For firearms owners, the process remains an “incredibly controversial issue”, according to Cox, especially since some cannot closely follow the latest updates.
“It’s the whole, ignorance is no excuse for the law,” Cox said. “It’s like, well, how are I supposed to know? So, the FRT has just created a responsibility monster for firearms owners.”
What does the government say?
The federal government says that it is committed to ensuring that all brands and models of firearms are evaluated before entering the market.
A Public Safety Canada spokesman said that the Government “received and published comments on the proposed regulations and is evaluating ways to further strengthen the firearms security regime and the classification process.”
During the federal electoral campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the classification of new firearms models should be left “to the RCMP, to the experts, not to the weapons industry.“
“New weapons should not be entered to this country before they have been examined and classified by those experts,” said Beby on April 10.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre He said he would get rid of From the “assault style” firearm program of the previous government, the brand as a “weapon grip”.
Pailievre is currently running in the driving of Battle River-Crowot to recover a seat in the House of Commons. During a City Council held at Stettler, Alta., Last week, Pailievre pointed again to the Federal Plan.
“The RCMP does not want to do it. I don’t know how they are going to do this. Actually, I don’t think they can do it,” he said in the clips of the event published online by the local media of the hometown.
The Federal Government has made last minute additions of gun pieces to its assault weapons repurchase program, such as magazines, screws and grips. Critics say that adding the wide range of components will only be added to the program cost of the program.
As the process develops, the FRT is likely to continue to be a “hot problem” among arms owners and defenders of arms control, according to Somerset.
“I don’t think anyone is particularly happy,” he said.
The RCMP did not immediately answer CBC News tracking questions about the FRT and Sterling Arms R9 MK1.
