Firearms Bylaw Review and Update

This project is now complete. Thank you for participating!

Council approved updates to the County's Firearms Bylaw in February 2026.  To review the bylaw and see the maps, please visit brant.ca/Firearms.

The County of Brant is conducting a review and update of the current Firearms Bylaw to reflect residential and commercial development, increased population density, and changes in how land is used across the County - and we need your input.

This initiative is part of the County’s commitment to:

  • Improve public safety
  • Align regulations with community growth
  • Provide clear, visual guidance on where firearm use is prohibited

Many of the areas proposed to be added are already covered by zoning rules that prohibit discharging firearms. The mapping update will make this clearer for residents and ensure transparency and ease of

The County of Brant is conducting a review and update of the current Firearms Bylaw to reflect residential and commercial development, increased population density, and changes in how land is used across the County - and we need your input.

This initiative is part of the County’s commitment to:

  • Improve public safety
  • Align regulations with community growth
  • Provide clear, visual guidance on where firearm use is prohibited

Many of the areas proposed to be added are already covered by zoning rules that prohibit discharging firearms. The mapping update will make this clearer for residents and ensure transparency and ease of understanding.

What’s being proposed

We are proposing to expand the existing Schedule “A” maps, which identify areas where discharging firearms is prohibited.

Updates include:

  • Adding new subdivisions and neighbourhoods to prohibited areas
  • Updating areas such as parks, trails, and recreational spaces
  • Updating other areas with growing public use

The goal is to ensure the maps are accurate, up to date, and easy to understand.

Check Your Area: Virtual Map

Want to know if the updated bylaw mapping affects your property? Curious to see the areas covered by the current bylaw versus the proposed area changes?

View the virtual map.

Summary of the current bylaw

The current Firearms Bylaw prohibits discharging a firearm or bow in several situations, including:

  • On residentially zoned land or registered subdivisions
  • Within 100 metres of a place of worship, public hall, school property, or recreational trail
  • Over highways or County-owned land (unless authorized)
  • Without the property owner’s permission
  • In areas identified on the official “No Discharge” maps (Schedules A-1 to A-31 and B-1 to B-7)

Exemptions apply to peace officers, animal control officers, agricultural land, and archery instruction.

To read the full bylaw and view all current exemptions, please visit brant.ca/Firearms.

Top 3 Things to Know

  1. This is a map update, not a new ban.
    The Firearms Bylaw already includes many restrictions. We’re simply updating the maps to match where people live, play, and gather today.
  2. Your feedback matters.
    We’re inviting public input to ensure the update reflects local knowledge, safety concerns, and community values.
  3. You can still hunt, shoot, and enjoy rural life, safely and legally.
    Exemptions remain in place for hunters, farmers, archery, and others under certain conditions.

Stay Informed

News feed: The Newsfeed is where you’ll find the latest updates about this project. It helps keep you informed about progress, upcoming opportunities to participate, important decisions, and more.

Subscribe for updates and be the first to get the most current project information. Simply add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.

FAQs

We have included a list of frequently asked questions to help answer some questions you may have.

This project is now complete. Thank you for participating!

Council approved updates to the County's Firearms Bylaw in February 2026.  To review the bylaw and see the maps, please visit brant.ca/Firearms.

County of Brant Staff aim to maintain a respectful and constructive dialogue with the public through all forms of communication. We understand and appreciate that people will have differing opinions and concerns, and welcome all feedback, questions, and comments in a respectful and constructive manner.

Please ask your question or leave your comment below. We will do our best to respond within 3 business days. You may also find answers to some of your questions on our FAQs page or on the County of Brant website at brant.ca/Firearms.

  • Have there been any by-law infractions for the existing by-law? What is the current cost to enforce the by-law and will this alter the future costs? Do we have any evidence that the current by-law is improving safety? are we measuring its effectiveness? Are there any studies or evidence that if we eliminated the by-law completely it would cause real harm? Thank you!

    MJR asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your thoughtful questions.

    Since 2015, the County has received 39 calls related to the discharge of firearms. Of these, 33 were inquiries from residents seeking information about where firearms use or hunting is permitted, and 6 were complaints. Complaints are referred to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who are responsible for enforcing the Firearms Bylaw. We have shared your question about infractions, costs of enforcement, and potential future costs with the OPP, and will post their response once it is available.

    While the County does not have a formal metric to measure the effectiveness of the bylaw, we do know that many residents use the bylaw maps and contact us directly to confirm what is permitted. This demonstrates that clear mapping helps promote safety and compliance by making the rules easier to understand. We also monitor service calls and feedback from the community, which helps us identify areas where updates may be needed.

    Regarding studies on the broader impacts of eliminating a firearms bylaw, we are not aware of specific research in this area. However, it is the County’s view that providing clear rules and mapping supports public safety by helping residents understand where discharging firearms is not permitted.

    UPDATE: Thank you for your patience as we followed up with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) regarding your questions regarding the Firearms Bylaw review and update.

    The OPP has advised that in 2025 they have received several calls related to the discharge of firearms. Many of these were inquiries from residents wanting to confirm whether hunting or target practice was permitted on specific properties. Officers also attended a number of calls for people target practicing and confirmed that they were acting lawfully, in possession of the appropriate licences, and following all applicable bylaws and the Criminal Code.

    The OPP noted that these interactions demonstrate that residents are actively reviewing the bylaw and complying with it, which they believe directly supports community safety. They also noted that it would be difficult to measure effectiveness in the absence of a bylaw, as the bylaw itself provides the standard that guides safe and lawful firearm use within the County of Brant.

    We appreciate the OPP’s insight and their continued partnership in helping ensure public safety. As always, we thank residents like you for your interest and engagement in helping shape a clear and effective bylaw that reflects the needs of our growing community.

  • After reviewing the maps A28, I see 6 areas as proposed. I would like more information regarding the proposed areas shown on the Scenic Dr. map. Are they listed as proposed or as existing development sites? Are they zoned as residential, public (school etc) or commercial / industrial Please include the reasons for proposing the addition of these areas to the current bylaw. Please include the street numbers for the areas along Scenic Dr. as shown on the map.

    KG Little asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your inquiry and review.

    The areas shown are proposed additions to the Firearms Bylaw Schedule “A” map. These areas were identified based on their zoning and proximity to existing residential uses. In general, properties zoned Rural Residential and Natural Heritage and located close to other residential areas are being considered for inclusion to better align the bylaw with current land use. The bylaw has historically prohibited the discharging of firearms in residential zones. 

    If you a concern about your specific property, please contact the County's Director of Enforcement and Regulatory Services, Greg Bergeron, directly via email at bylawenforcement@brant.ca. 

    Here is a breakdown of the Scenic Drive properties you asked about:

    • 300 to 310 East River Road – Predominantly zoned Rural Residential with portions zoned Natural Heritage. Proposed due to residential zoning and proximity to nearby homes.
    • 510 to 526 Scenic Drive – Zoned Rural Residential, with some Natural Heritage areas. Proposed due to residential zoning and proximity to other residential properties.
    • West of MacPherson School Road – Zoned Rural Residential. Proposed because of residential zoning.
    • 431 and 433 Scenic Drive – Zoned Rural Residential (431 also has a small Natural Heritage area). Proposed due to residential zoning.
    • 403 and 409 Scenic Drive – Zoned Rural Residential (409 has a small Natural Heritage portion). Proposed because of residential zoning and nearby residences.
    • 369 and 371 Scenic Drive – Dual zoning: Rural Residential and Natural Heritage. Proposed due to this zoning and adjacency to other residential areas.
    • 339 and 341 Scenic Drive – Zoned Rural Residential. Proposed due to residential zoning.

     

    These proposed additions are intended to provide clearer mapping for residents and better reflect the current mix of residential and natural heritage zoning along Scenic Drive.

    We appreciate your close review of the maps and your interest in understanding how the proposed updates were identified.