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All relevant Federal and Provincial Regulations pertaining to firearms must be complied with, including but not limited to the Canada Criminal Code, Firearms Act, and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. 

Not all firearm discharges are illegal. If you believe you are in danger, please call 911.

Firearm Discharge By-law

The Town of East Gwillimbury Firearm Discharge Bylaw 2023-040 states that:

No person shall discharge a firearm or a bow in the Town upon lands within the Regulated Area:

  • On privately owned lands, without first obtaining the expressed permission or the owner or occupier of the lands,
    • Except on lands having an area of at least 2.02 hectares (5 acres) in size;
    • On or within 150 metres of a park, an education facility, or a religious institution;
    • Within 100 m of any building or structure whether occupied or not, unless the owner or occupier of the lands has provided their expressed permission to do so;
    • Within 16 metres of a highway or public trail, and;
    • Property owned by the Town unless otherwise posted.

Please refer to the map for prohibited areas.

Why might I hear a firearm discharge?

There are a few reasons you may hear a firearm discharge in EG. These may include but are not limited to:

  • Hunting purposes as outlined by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry;
  • Farming and agricultural purposes, and/or;
  • A bona fide gun club, rifle range, or skeet club as duly authorized by the Chief Firearms Officer or by a bona fide archery club duly licensed to operate the business and at that location.

A complete list can be found under section 4.0 of the Firearm Discharge Bylaw.

What if I use a firearm to hunt?

The Ministry of Natural Resources enforces hunting regulations.

For information on Hunting, Hunting Seasons or obtaining Hunting Licences, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

An amendment to Ontario Regulation 663/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act has been made to permit Sunday gun hunting in the Town of East Gwillimbury, effective September 1, 2023. Accordingly, the ministry’s Sunday gun hunting webpage will be updated to reflect this change.