Authorization to Carry

An Authorization to Carry [ATC] is a permit issued by the government of Canada under the Firearms Act. An ATC allows an individual to lawfully possess a restricted, or a specific class of, prohibited firearm that is loaded or possessed with readily accessible ammunition (elsewhere than at the only place where it might ordinarily be legally loaded - at a gun range). Under this permit, the approved firearm may be carried on the permit holder's person, in a holster. The issuing CFO may specify on the ATC that concealing the firearm is permitted, and may impose any other conditions deemed appropriate; for example, an ATC issued for armoured car work requires a uniform be worn while armed (see carry regulation SOR 98-207, Firearms Act).

This permit is less common than the Authorization to Transport permit which allows secured and trigger locked transport of Restricted and Prohibited class firearms in an unloaded state.