With Christmas approaching, the federal Liberals provided owners of some centrefire and rimfire semi-automatic rifles a lump of coal in banning another 324 models of what it calls “assault-style” firearms.
The Dec. 5 announcement prompted confusion, with the list of additional banned models released three hours after a press conference. A preliminary examination didn’t identify traditional hunting models in the list.
Issued on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the L’Ecole Polytechnique mass shooting, the announcement also included word of regulatory amendments to be introduced on Dec. 13. Also expected are “regulatory measures to ensure that all firearms in the Canadian market are accounted for” and new regulations regarding on high-capacity magazines in March 2025. No details were provided on these additional measures.
A commitment for a buyback program was mentioned again for firearms businesses and individuals who own the banned firearms. A release stated that a buyback program for businesses has started on a few test businesses and will be open to all businesses in the coming days.
The release also confirmed the government will donate some of the seized guns to support Ukraine.
“The list of prohibited firearms might be getting longer, but the basic premise is still deeply flawed,” Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Manager of Policy Mark Ryckman said. “Confiscating guns from law-abiding Canadians and sending them to Ukrainian soldiers won’t reduce gun violence or make Canadians safer.
Not only does this ban not help protect Canadians, it continues to impact hunters and sport shooters alike in an unfair and unjust way.”
More details to follow.
