Liberal government adds hundreds of firearm models to list of banned weapons
The Canadian government made a significant announcement on Thursday regarding new gun control measures, which includes adding several hundred models and variants to its list of banned weapons. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that these firearms can no longer be legally used, sold, or imported in Canada. The timing of this announcement, one day before the 35th anniversary of the massacre at École Polytechnique de Montréal, holds deep significance.
The newly implemented measures, effective immediately, prohibit more than 300 makes and models of what the government deems as “assault-style” firearms. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin explained that the models added to the list align with the government’s 2020 definition of assault-style weapons, with a previous banning of 1,500 models falling under this category. Current owners of these newly prohibited firearms have until October 30 of the following year to comply with the ban, with plans for a government buy-back program in place.
Minister of Public Services Jean-Yves Duclos mentioned that a pilot buy-back program has already been running for the past month, collecting and destroying a “couple dozen” guns. Additionally, Defence Minister Bill Blair revealed that some of the confiscated firearms will be sent to Ukraine as part of Canada’s military aid donations to the country.
The new gun control measures are also tied to Bill C-21, a firearms bill adopted in 2023. The legislation includes provisions to revoke licenses and confiscate firearms from individuals who commit violent acts. However, some amendments to the bill were dropped in response to public backlash earlier this year. A government spokesperson clarified that the new measures apply to some firearms initially included in the amendments, while others have been left out.
Women’s groups and victims’ families have raised questions about the delayed implementation of certain measures outlined in C-21. The government assured that these measures will come into effect in the new year. The significance of the announcement on the anniversary of the tragic events at École Polytechnique de Montréal was highlighted by survivor Nathalie Provost, who commended the government’s actions as a crucial step forward in gun control.
However, not all parties are supportive of the new measures. Conservative public safety critic Raquel Dancho criticized the government’s approach, accusing them of targeting lawful gun owners while being lenient on criminals. Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery echoed these sentiments, stating that the measures undermine law-abiding firearms ownership and criticizing the government’s confiscation program as wasteful and ineffective.
Overall, the implementation of these new gun control measures marks a significant step in addressing firearm regulations in Canada. The government’s commitment to strengthening gun control laws and addressing public safety concerns is evident in these latest developments.
