In a sudden move that has sent shockwaves through Canada’s firearms community, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has reclassified the Canadian-made Crusader Arms Crypto rifle as prohibited, without public consultation.[1] The decision, announced on April 4, 2025, has sparked fresh controversy over the government’s approach to firearms classification.
The Crypto rifle, specifically designed and manufactured by Spectre LTD to comply with post-Bill C-21 requirements, has been officially prohibited under Part One, paragraph 87 of the Prohibited Firearms Regulations.[2] This reclassification has left both manufacturers and legal owners in a state of uncertainty.
“This is yet another example of the RCMP and anti-gun activists moving the goalposts,” stated Tony Bernardo from the Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA). “The Crypto rifle was designed specifically to meet the requirements of Bill C-21, and now, without warning or justification, it’s been deemed prohibited. This kind of arbitrary decision-making undermines the credibility of the firearms classification system and creates undue hardship for law-abiding gun owners.”
The timing of this prohibition is particularly controversial, as the Crypto was developed specifically to navigate the complex regulatory landscape created by Bill C-21. The firearm had been sold through various authorized dealers across Canada, with owners believing they were purchasing a fully compliant, non-restricted firearm.[3]
Legal experts and firearms advocates argue that this latest prohibition highlights a deeper issue within Canada’s firearms classification system. The ability to reclassify firearms without public consultation or clear technical justification has raised concerns about the predictability and stability of firearms regulations for both manufacturers and law-abiding gun owners.
Owners of the Crypto rifle have been advised to not take their firearms out for shooting at this time[4], while industry associations work to gather more information about the reclassification and its implications.
The prohibition of the Crusader Arms Crypto adds to a growing list of firearms that have been reclassified as prohibited in recent years, leading to calls for reform in how Canada approaches firearms classification. Critics argue that a more transparent, technically-based approach is needed, rather than what they view as arbitrary decisions based on cosmetic features.
As the debate continues, this latest development has reinforced the firearms community’s push for a more consistent and predictable regulatory framework that prioritizes public safety while respecting the rights of legal firearms owners. The incident has become a rallying point for those advocating for evidence-based firearms policy rather than what they perceive as politically motivated prohibitions.
Sources:
[1] https://thegunblog.ca/2025/04/06/canada-gun-rights-news-week-of-2025-march-31/
[2] https://bcfirearmsacademy.ca/recent-prohibition-of-the-crusader-arms-crypto-april-5-2025/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/1jrpum2/the_government_just_retroactively_banned_the/
[4] https://www.facebook.com/LFGA.Range/photos/important-notice-for-crypto-rifle-ownersif-you-own-a-crypto-rifle-please-be-advi/1053966216768506/
2 Comments
Richard Iles
I am a retired police officer, former firearms/use of force instructor and licensed firearms owner for some 50 years. I’ve watched with interest this whole RCMP classification issue. I’ve wanted to add a semi-auto hunting rifle, due to health issues. I did my due diligence and finally bought a Crusader Arms Crypto, after seeing that it was manufactured to satisfy our firearms regulations. Not to mention that this firearm was not on the last prohibited list, and the government assertion that all guns targeted were now on the list. I owned this rifle for less than a week before the RCMP arbitrarily added it to the prohibited list. I view this as a direct attack on me and every other legally licensed firearms owner. This issue cannot be allowed to stand.
giles chater
I am also an LE Firearms professional and agree that this newest prohibition is a sucker-punch to all of us that madly converted our C-21 prohibs to Crypto format, using the freely available receiver sets. When the Govt. gives me a mere $1,300 dollars for each of my AR pattern receiver sets, I will have lost a good deal of money as the components for each that I had scratch-built, were worth a great deal more. The crypto was the perfect substitute and gives better than average accuracy. I don’t know how many complete rifles and receiver sets Spectre managed to sell as non-restricted, but the supplier from whom I bought three receiver kits should not by law disclose to the Registry which serial numbers were shipped to which customer. This makes any attempt to trace ownership (….no mention of compensation) quite difficult if not illegal. The re-classification could have made these sporting rifles Restricted and had owners register them as such (grandfathering those that were only NR licensed) Instead this knee-jerk folly, based on cosmetics rather than lethality, does not put a dent in the illegal handgun traffick from the US. The emotive plea to…’get these assault rifles off our streets’ is pretty pathetic and an example of the ‘fear-theatre’ that the current Government loves promote. Remember, this change is to the Regulations, and is not therefore legally binding.