Fair Notice to Parents/Guardians: Firearm Violence Prevention Act

The Ministry of Education and Child Care recognizes the importance of maintaining safe, welcoming and supportive learning environments for students, staff and families. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen safety in schools, we are sharing information from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General about new provincial firearms laws affecting K-12 school property. The following information explains how the new Firearm Violence Prevention Act applies to school property, outlines key considerations for schools and districts, and provides guidance on how narrow exemptions to the new requirements may apply to certain safe and otherwise lawful activities on school property.

What is the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA)?

As of October 1, 2026, new laws and regulations under the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) came into effect in British Columbia. The legislation is intended to address unsafe firearm use and firearm-related violence. The FVPA replaces the former provincial Firearm Act.

Firearms are regulated by both federal and provincial governments. The FVPA complements current federal laws by addressing public safety risks associated with firearms, low-velocity and imitation firearms that are not fully addressed under federal legislation. Common examples of low-velocity firearms include BB, pellet, gel, airsoft and paintball guns, and imitation firearms are items that could reasonably be mistaken for a real firearm, such as lighters designed to closely resemble firearms.

What is New?

While many schools already have internal policies banning or restricting firearms on school property, the FVPA further strengthens existing policies by providing law enforcement additional tools to address and enforce firearms-related public safety risks through a province-wide prohibition on firearms, low-velocity and imitation firearms at K-12 schools and other designated properties.

The goal of the provincial requirements is to keep schools safe by keeping firearms and objects that look like firearms out of schools.

Exemptions for Authorized Activities

The FVPA includes narrow exemptions that allow for safe and legitimate activities involving firearms, low-velocity firearms or imitation firearms to continue on K-12 school property when authorized in advance by the school. The decision to approve or deny activities that may be eligible under these exemptions rests with the school. Schools can also impose conditions to their approval, such as specific times and locations where the activity can occur, limitations on the items being used, minimum safety measures, and requiring organizers to supervise and remain available throughout the duration of the requested activity.

Some examples of activities that may be eligible for an exemption include:

• Cadet programs
• Biathlon demonstrations or events
• Cinematic, theatrical, film or artistic activities or performances
• Educational activities (e.g., firearms safety training)

Anyone planning to conduct an exempted activity on school property must obtain written authorization from the school's relevant entity prior to the activity.

Individuals who are safely transporting firearms, low-velocity firearms, or imitation firearms in a vehicle on school property may also be exempted from the general FVPA prohibitions as long as applicable requirements in the regulations and other relevant firearms laws are followed (e.g., firearms remain unloaded and safely stored in a locked trunk or container).

Consequences

Anyone who illegally possesses a firearm, low-velocity firearm, or imitation firearm on school property without a valid exemption may have these items confiscated, forfeited and disposed of by law enforcement, and if convicted of an offence, may face fines and serious penalties under the FVPA

For more information on the Firearm Violence Prevention Act and regulations, visit: Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) - Province of British Columbia.