The Liberal government has introduced a ban on over 300 additional makes and models of firearms, just one day before the anniversary of the tragic École Polytechnique de Montréal massacre.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced on Dec. 5 that the new list of banned firearms supplements the 1,500 models prohibited in 2020, which he described as models designed for battlefields rather than hunting. These additional 324 gun models were pinpointed through consultation with RCMP experts.
LeBlanc stated, “This means these firearms can no longer be legally used, sold, or imported in Canada, and can only be transferred or transported under extremely limited circumstances.”
The new regulations take effect immediately, and current owners of these newly prohibited models have until Oct. 30, 2025, to comply by utilizing the buyback program.
The government unveiled a series of gun-control measures as part of Bill C-21 in February 2021, aiming to legally enforce a ban on what the government terms “assault-style” firearms, defined as semi-automatic guns with centre-fire ammunition and designed to hold a magazine of six or more cartridges. The government initially intended to broaden the ban to encompass more guns but abandoned the plan in early 2023 following opposition and concerns from First Nations members.
The legislation, which was passed in December 2023, also enforces a nationwide freeze on the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns in Canada. Additionally, the measures include “red and yellow flag” provisions, permitting individuals to request a court to temporarily confiscate guns from an owner if they pose a threat to themselves or others, or for a chief firearms officer to do so for 30 days. The new law also heightens penalties for firearms smuggling and trafficking.
The government is collaborating with provinces, territories, and law enforcement on the buyback program. Moreover, Ottawa is exploring the possibility of donating some of the prohibited guns to Ukraine to assist in their conflict against Russia, as mentioned by LeBlanc.
Certain provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, have expressed opposition to the federal government’s ban, stating that they will not allocate provincial resources for the buyback program.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe emphasized in 2020 after the initial ban announcement, “The Trudeau government needs to understand: law-abiding gun owners are not the problem.”
The initial phase of the firearms buyback has commenced, with businesses and the industry returning their firearms for compensation. Despite new regulations enabling Canada Post to store and transport firearms for the buyback, the Crown Corporation has declined participation in the second phase involving the collection of individuals’ firearms due to employee safety concerns. Please rewrite this sentence.
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