Storing Your Firearms During a Move: What Canadian Gun Owners Need to Know Moving is stressful enough without worrying about whether your firearms are legally transported, safely stored, and properly secured at your new address. For Canadian gun owners, a move — whether across town or across the country — comes with a specific set of legal obligations that can catch even experienced owners off guard. Here's what you need to know, and why temporary professional storage during a move might be the smartest call you'll make. The Legal Reality of Moving With Firearms in Canada Under the *Firearms Act* and its regulations, you don't just pack your guns in a box and haul them to your new place. Every class of firearm carries its own requirements, and those requirements don't pause because you're in the middle of a move. Non-Restricted Firearms Non-restricted firearms must be unloaded and stored or transported so they're not readily accessible. If you're transporting them in a vehicle, they need to be unloaded and secured. But the bigger issue for movers is what happens at the other end — your new home must meet safe storage requirements from day one. Restricted and Prohibited Firearms This is where things get more complicated. Restricted and prohibited firearms require an Authorization to Transport (ATT) for any movement outside your home — including during a move. You need to know the specific route, the origin, and the destination before transport begins. If your new address isn't set up and legally ready to receive firearms, you have a problem. The "New Address Isn't Ready" Problem This is the scenario most gun owners don't think about until they're in it: - You're moving into a new home that doesn't have a safe installed yet - You're in temporary housing between closing dates - You're doing renovations and your secure storage room isn't usable - You're moving interprovincially and unfamiliar with local nuances in how regulations are applied In any of these situations, your firearms can't just sit in the moving truck or a storage locker. They need to be in a legally compliant, secure location — and your living room while you unpack boxes doesn't qualify. Why Professional Licensed Storage Is the Smart Move Temporary storage with a federally licensed firearms facility solves every one of these problems cleanly and legally. Legal Compliance Is Handled A licensed storage facility like Steller operates under RCMP licensing, meaning your firearms are held in a facility that already meets — and exceeds — all legal storage requirements. You're not scrambling to interpret regulations during one of the most hectic periods of your life. No Rush to Set Up Safe Storage at the New Address You have enough going on. Using licensed storage during your move means your firearms are secure and accounted for while you take the time to properly set up your safe, gun room, or storage system at the new address. There's no pressure to compromise on security because you need to "get them home." Your Firearms Stay Insured and Secure A reputable licensed storage facility maintains comprehensive insurance coverage for stored firearms. That's coverage you simply don't have when your guns are in the back of a moving van. Peace of Mind During a Stressful Time You know exactly where your firearms are, you know they're secure, and you know you're in full legal compliance. That's one less thing to worry about during a move. If Your Employer Is Covering the Move, Professional Storage Is a No-Brainer Many companies cover employee relocation expenses as part of a corporate relocation package — flights, temporary housing, moving trucks, storage. If your employer is footing the bill for your move, you're already in a position where the financial friction of relocating is largely removed. That changes the calculus on professional firearm storage significantly. When your employer is handling the major moving costs, adding a licensed firearm storage arrangement to your relocation plan is a straightforward decision. You're not absorbing an unexpected expense out of pocket — you're handling the one piece of the move your employer can't handle for you, and doing it properly. For gun owners relocating for work, this is the right time to do it right. The move is already organized and funded. There's no reason to cut corners on firearm compliance when the rest of the relocation is professionally managed. Common Scenarios Where Professional Storage Makes Sense Interprovincial moves: Different provinces don't have different firearms laws per se — federal law governs — but the practical realities of a cross-country move (weeks in transit, temporary rentals, overlapping leases) make temporary licensed storage the cleanest solution. Renovations or construction: If you're doing significant work on your home and your secure storage area is being rebuilt or relocated, licensed storage keeps you compliant while the work is done. Temporary housing: Between closing on your old place and moving into your new one, your firearms need a legal home. A storage unit at a self-storage facility does not meet the legal requirements for firearm storage. A licensed facility does. New homeowners who don't yet have a safe: You've got 60 days of leeway on some administrative items, but secure storage for restricted and prohibited firearms isn't one of them. Licensed storage bridges the gap. How Steller's Storage Process Works Steller keeps the intake process simple so you can focus on your move. 1. Contact Steller — Call 604-305-4612 or email info@stellermgmt.com to confirm your storage needs and timeline. 2. Coordinate transport — Steller coordinates compliant transport of your firearms to the facility, handling the logistics so you don't have to. 3. Secure storage — Your firearms are stored at an RCMP-licensed, insured facility with discreet, professional handling. No unnecessary government notifications beyond what's legally required. 4. Retrieval when you're ready — Once your new address is set up and you're ready to receive your firearms, Steller coordinates the return. The process is designed to be low-friction. You shouldn't have to become a logistics expert on top of managing a move. FAQ: Firearm Storage During a Move in Canada Can I just leave my firearms with a friend or family member while I move? Only if that person is licensed to possess the class of firearm in question, and only if their storage setup meets legal requirements. For restricted and prohibited firearms, the situation is more complex. Licensed storage is the cleaner, legally unambiguous option. Do I need to notify the CFO when I put my firearms in professional storage? This depends on the situation and the class of firearm. Steller's team can walk you through what's required for your specific circumstances. Steller's approach is to handle only the notifications that are legally required — nothing beyond that. How long can I keep firearms in storage with Steller? There's no fixed minimum or maximum. Whether you need storage for two weeks while your closing dates overlap, or several months while you wait for your new safe to be installed, Steller accommodates the timeline you need. Is my firearms collection insured while in storage? Yes. Firearms stored at Steller are covered under the facility's insurance. This is a significant advantage over informal arrangements or non-licensed storage options. What if I'm moving from BC to Alberta — does Steller serve both provinces? Steller is BC-based and expanding to Alberta. Contact the team directly to discuss your situation and confirm what's available for your specific move. Ready to Move? Let Steller Handle the Hard Part. Don't let firearm compliance be one more thing on your moving checklist. Steller Management offers RCMP-licensed, insured, and discreet storage for restricted, prohibited, and non-restricted firearms — the professional solution for gun owners navigating a relocation. Get in touch today to confirm your dates and get the process started. Phone: 604-305-4612 Email: info@stellermgmt.com Website: stellermgmt.com Steller Firearms Management & Storage — federally licensed, secure, and built for Canadian gun owners.
Discover Steller’s perspective on the firearms buyback program, legal considerations, and safe storage options. Protect your firearms and stay informed today.
