Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012

Marginal note:Weapons

• 79 (1) Subject to subsections (2.1) to (4), a person must not carry or have access to a weapon on board an aircraft.

• Marginal note:Explosive substances and incendiary devices

  (2) Subject to subsections (2.1) to (2.4), (3.1) and (4), a person other than an air carrier must not carry or have access to an explosive substance or incendiary device on board an aircraft.

• Marginal note:Exception — air carrier flights

  (2.1) A Canadian in-flight security officer who is acting in the course of their duties may carry or have access to a loaded firearm on board an aircraft operated by an air carrier.

• Marginal note:Exception — border services officer

  (2.2) A border services officer who is acting in the course of their duties may carry or have access to defensive equipment, an agency firearm and ammunition on board an aircraft that is on the ground at an aerodrome.

• Marginal note:Exception — US preclearance officer

  (2.3) A US preclearance officer who is exercising their powers or performing their duties or functions under the Preclearance Act, 2016 may carry or have access to defensive equipment, a US inspection agency firearm and US inspection agency ammunition on board an aircraft that is on the ground at an aerodrome.

• Marginal note:Exception — certain federal employees

  (2.4) A person described in item 22, column 1, of the table to subsection 78(2) who is acting in the course of their duties may carry or have access to defensive equipment, a loaded agency firearm and ammunition on board an aircraft that is on the ground at an aerodrome.

• Marginal note:Exception — air carrier flights

  (3) The following persons may carry or have access to an unloaded firearm on board an aircraft operated by an air carrier:

  • (a) a peace officer who is authorized by the air carrier under section 531;

  • (b) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft if authorized by the air carrier under subsection 533(1); and

  • (c) an employee of a federal or provincial department or agency who is engaged in wildlife control and who is authorized by the air carrier under subsection 533(1).

• Marginal note:Exception — certain federal employees

  (3.1) A person described in item 22, column 1, of the table to subsection 78(2) may carry or have access to defensive equipment, a loaded agency firearm and ammunition on board an aircraft, if authorized by the operator of the aircraft under section 533.1.

• Marginal note:Exception — other operators’ flights

  (4) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft operated by a person other than an air carrier may carry or have access to an unloaded firearm and ammunition on board the aircraft if authorized by the operator of the aircraft under subsection 533(2).

• Marginal note:Consumption of alcoholic beverages

  (5) The following persons must not consume any alcoholic beverage if they are on board an aircraft and are carrying or have access to an unloaded firearm:

  • (a) a peace officer; and

  • (b) an employee of a federal or provincial department or agency who is engaged in wildlife control.