In 1892 was the first government step in licensing firearms. A basic permit for pistols was introduced in the Criminal Code. In 1913 it became a criminal offence to sell or distribute firearms to anyone under 16 years old. Government finally recognized that children should not have possession of a firearm. Until 1934 firearm registration was rarely an enforced offence. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police kept records of those purchasing firearms. Handguns had to be re-registered every five years starting in 1939. It also became an offence to alter the serial numbers on guns as records were kept and gun transactions were being monitored. 1951 was the next step in gun control legislation having automatic fire guns added to the list of firearms that were to be registered. A list to categorize firearms as ""restricted weapons"" and ""prohibited weapons"" was created in 1968 (""History of Firearms"", 2000). By this time police had become allowed to search and seize firearms with a judge issued warrant or if they had reasonable grounds that the safety of the public was at stake. On August 5, 1977 Bill C-51 was given royal assent. This bill imposed stricter penalties for those convicted of an indictable offence where a firearm had been used. Bill C-51 also created the requirement of a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) to properly screen those purchasing guns and to keep records of firearms purchased. A FAC had to be renewed in order to purchase more guns. This allowed the government to declare who was competent to own a gun. The early 1990"'s brought on stricter gun control laws. Bill .
-17 came into force between 1992 and 1994. It saw many reforms in licensing firearms, FAC screenings, and harsher penalties to those convicted of crimes involving firearms. FAC applicants had to provide identification and two references, have a background check, go through safety training, and then to wait 28 days to receive their FAC.