Ottawa quietly expands gun buyback program to include parts

Narrow cardboard boxes line the walls of the fortified upstairs room at Wes Winkel’s gun store, Ellwood Epps Sporting Goods in Orillia, Ont. These boxes hold dozens of assault-style weapons, still in their original packaging, gathering dust for close to five years. This inventory, which has been paid for and remains insured, has been banned from public sale since the spring of 2020, costing Winkel close to a quarter-million dollars.

Winkel, who also serves as president of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association, describes the prohibited inventory as a sore spot for everyone involved in the industry. Last week, on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre, the Trudeau government announced the start of its buyback program for assault-style firearms. Phase 1, set to begin before the end of December, will involve collecting guns like those in Winkel’s storeroom from retailers and manufacturers for destruction, with compensation being paid for each weapon.

The crackdown on assault-style weapons began in the spring of 2020 after a mass shooting in Portapique, N.S., which left 22 people dead. The government initially banned the sale of 1,500 guns, later expanding the list to 2,000 firearms. This past week, 324 more makes and models were prohibited, with more to come.

In a quiet update to the program, the government has included a list of parts and components that will also be eligible for compensation. This move aims to close a potential loophole where criminals could build their own “ghost” assault-style weapons using available parts. The buyback prices for these components range from $3.20 to $1,264 per part, raising the overall cost of the program significantly.

While the exact extent of the ghost gun problem in Canada remains unclear, police forces have been warning about the rise of these homemade weapons for years. The inclusion of parts and accessories in the buyback program seeks to enhance public safety by preventing the illegal assembly of firearms.

The cost of the program has been a point of contention, with estimates varying between the government and private sector. The addition of parts and the potential for phase 2 of the buyback to involve private individuals could further drive up costs. Critics warn of a potential boondoggle similar to the federal gun registry, which far exceeded its initial budget.

Despite the anticipated costs, the buyback program faces political opposition. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to end the “gun grab” if his party wins the upcoming federal election. Provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan have enacted legislation to limit the buyback, setting the stage for a potential jurisdictional battle over firearms regulation.

While Ottawa may have the legal authority to enforce the buyback, overcoming delays and resistance from provinces could prove challenging. The future of the program remains uncertain as stakeholders navigate the complexities of firearms regulation and public safety concerns.