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The Definitive 2025 Ontario Gun Show Schedule: Dates, Venues, And The Critical New Canadian Laws Impacting Your Visit

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The 2025 Ontario Gun Show circuit is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated and complex seasons in recent memory, driven by a packed calendar of events across the province and the looming impact of new federal firearms legislation. As of late 2025, enthusiasts, collectors, and vendors are actively preparing for a series of major trade shows and local militaria events, from the bustling halls of the International Centre in Mississauga to community centres in the Niagara Region.

The key difference for all 2025 events is the regulatory environment. Attendees must be acutely aware of the latest amendments to Canadian firearms regulations, including the prohibition on certain semi-automatic firearms that came into effect in March 2025. This article provides the definitive list of confirmed dates and crucial insights into the legal landscape that will define every Ontario gun show this year.

Confirmed 2025 Ontario Gun Show Schedule & Key Event Details

The Canadian province of Ontario hosts a diverse range of events, from large-scale hunting and competitive shooting expos to smaller, specialized antique arms and militaria shows. Unlike the confusingly named "Ontario Gun Shows" in California, USA, these events are strictly governed by Canadian federal and provincial laws. Here is the confirmed schedule for the 2025 season, featuring major cities and local hubs:

  • Niagara Gun Show (St. Catharines/Merriton)
    • Date: Friday, February 7, 2025 (Evening Show)
    • Date: Friday, September 5, 2025 (Evening Show)
    • Date: Friday, December 12, 2025 (Evening Show)
    • Venue: Merriton Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue, St. Catharines, ON
    • Admission: General admission is typically around $6.00, with children under 13 often free.
    • Focus: A popular local event focusing on firearms, ammunition, accessories, and militaria.
  • Toronto Sportsman Show (Mississauga)
    • Date: March 13 – 16, 2025
    • Venue: The International Centre, Mississauga, ON
    • Focus: While a broader event covering hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, it features a significant firearms and optics component, often attracting major Canadian vendors.
  • Ottawa Militaria and Antique Arms Show (Spring)
    • Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
    • Venue: Nepean Sportsplex, Ottawa, ON
    • Focus: Specializes in historical items, antique arms, militaria, and collecting, attracting a different audience than competitive shooting expos.
  • Parry Sound Anglers & Hunters Club Gun and Trade Show
    • Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
    • Focus: A community-centric event emphasizing hunting, fishing, and local outdoor traditions in Northern Ontario.
  • Woodstock Gun Show
    • Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
    • Focus: A regional show offering a variety of firearms, accessories, and related equipment.
  • Ottawa Militaria and Antique Arms Show (Fall)
    • Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
    • Focus: The second major show in the Ottawa area for collectors of historical and antique weaponry.
  • Milton / Halton Gun & Hunting Show (Acton)
    • Date: Saturday, December 7, 2025
    • Venue: Acton Royal Canadian Legion, Acton, ON
    • Organizer: Promoted by Big Bang Events, a key organizer in the Ontario region.
    • Focus: A popular show for enthusiasts of hunting, archery, fishing, and modern firearms.

The Regulatory Shift: What Attendees Must Know for 2025

The experience of attending an Ontario gun show in 2025 will be fundamentally shaped by the ongoing changes to federal gun control legislation. The key difference from previous years is the increasing restriction on certain classes of firearms and the heightened scrutiny on all transactions.

The March 2025 Prohibition and its Gun Show Impact

A critical date for all Canadian firearms owners and vendors is March 7, 2025. On this date, the Government of Canada formally amended the regulations to prohibit an additional range of firearms. This prohibition specifically targets certain semi-automatic firearms that are deemed to have a sustained rapid-fire capability, particularly those with a tactical or military design and accepting large-capacity magazines.

For a gun show environment, this means:

  • Prohibited Items: Vendors will not be able to display, offer for sale, or transfer any of the newly prohibited makes and models. These are now considered Prohibited Firearms under the Criminal Code.
  • Vendor Compliance: Organizers like Big Bang Events and TACCOM will be under pressure to ensure all exhibitors are compliant with the new rules, which may lead to a noticeable change in the types of rifles and shotguns displayed.
  • Amnesty Expiration: The amnesty period for the firearms prohibited in 2020 (the initial "assault-style" ban) was set to expire on April 30, 2025, further emphasizing the need for legal clarity for those involved in the industry.

The overall atmosphere at the shows will likely reflect the ongoing national debate surrounding gun control, with a clear separation between legally available restricted and non-restricted firearms, and those that have been federally prohibited.

Navigating the Legal Landscape: Permits, Transfers, and Purchasing

Gun shows are not flea markets; every transaction is strictly regulated. For any individual planning to buy or sell a firearm at an Ontario event in 2025, the following regulations are non-negotiable and are strictly enforced by the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of Ontario.

The Role of the PAL and the CFO

To acquire any firearm—whether a non-restricted hunting rifle or a restricted handgun—an individual must possess a valid Canadian Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). The process for purchasing a firearm at a show is as follows:

  1. Verification: The vendor must first verify the buyer’s PAL with the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP).
  2. Transfer Authorization: For a Restricted Firearm (e.g., most handguns), the vendor must request a transfer authorization from the CFO. This process confirms the buyer is licensed for that class and has an approved range membership. This step can take time and is often completed after the show, with the firearm shipped later.
  3. Non-Restricted Sales: For a Non-Restricted Firearm (e.g., most common hunting rifles and shotguns), the transfer is registered with the RCMP, and the buyer can often take possession immediately, provided the vendor has completed the necessary paperwork.

The strict adherence to these rules ensures that Ontario gun shows remain legal venues for licensed individuals to engage with the shooting sports community, while maintaining a clear audit trail for all transactions.

Beyond Firearms: Ammunition, Accessories, and Militaria

Many attendees visit gun shows not just for firearms, but for the vast selection of related goods. The 2025 shows will be a vital resource for:

  • Ammunition: Bulk purchases of common calibers, specialty rounds, and reloading supplies.
  • Optics and Gear: Scopes, binoculars, tactical gear, holsters, and cleaning kits.
  • Antique Arms and Collectibles: Items like black powder muskets, historical military uniforms, and inert ordnance, which fall under the category of antique arms and are often exempt from standard PAL requirements, though local rules apply.
  • Expert Advice: The chance to speak directly with manufacturers, custom gunsmiths, and competitive shooting sports experts.

Events like the Ottawa Militaria Show specialize in the historical and collectible side, offering a unique opportunity to explore artifacts that tell the story of Canada’s military and hunting heritage.

Looking Ahead: TACCOM and Big Bang Events

While specific 2025 dates for Canada’s largest tactical and competitive shooting sports show, TACCOM (held at The International Centre in Mississauga), were not yet confirmed at the time of this writing, it remains the premier event on the Canadian circuit. TACCOM is the main destination for those interested in the latest technology, competitive shooting, and high-end tactical gear. Its 2024 success ensures that the 2025 announcement will be a major calendar event for the entire community.

Similarly, local organizers like Big Bang Events play a crucial role, hosting smaller, community-focused shows such as the Milton / Halton Gun & Hunting Show. These events are essential for local vendors and provide a more intimate setting for buying, selling, and trading legally compliant firearms and hunting supplies.

Whether you are a seasoned collector of antique arms, a new PAL holder looking for your first non-restricted rifle, or a competitive shooter seeking the latest gear, the 2025 Ontario gun show schedule offers numerous opportunities. However, a successful and compliant visit requires a full understanding of the schedule and the critical, ever-evolving Canadian firearms laws.

The Definitive 2025 Ontario Gun Show Schedule: Dates, Venues, and the Critical New Canadian Laws Impacting Your Visit
ontario gun show 2025
ontario gun show 2025

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