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Criminal Code

s. 90 Carrying Concealed Weapon

Carrying concealed weapon

  • Weapons & Firearms
  • Weapons & Firearms
Maximum sentence
5 years (indictable) / 2 years less a day (summary)
Classification
Hybrid

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

The law says

Criminal Code s. 90
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)
  • (1)Every person commits an offence who carries a weapon, a prohibited device or any prohibited ammunition concealed, unless the person is authorized under the Firearms Act to carry it concealed.
  • (2)Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
  • (b)is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Amendment History (4)
  • R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 90
  • 1991, c. 28, s. 6, c. 40, ss. 4, 35
  • 1994, c. 44, s. 6
  • 1995, c. 39, s. 139

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.

Immigration

Where this offence sits under IRPA

Carrying a concealed weapon is hybrid. On indictment, the top sentence is 5 years. IRPA s.36(3)(a) treats it as indictable even when the Crown chose the summary track. So a conviction is criminality under s.36(2). Five years is below the 10-year line. The maximum alone does not make it serious criminality, the harsher ground. But a sentence of more than six months actually imposed would reach s.36(1)(a). Officers look closely at weapons records at ports of entry.

This is how the law sorts the offence, not a reading of any one record. An officer decides each case.

IRPA sections involved

Guides that explain this section

Weapons & Firearms Conviction Entry to Canada

Related sections

Criminal Code s. 86Careless Use of FirearmHybridCriminal Code s. 88Possession of Weapon for Dangerous PurposeHybridCriminal Code s. 91Unauthorized Possession of FirearmHybrid