Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has described the trial run of the government’s key gun control initiative as a success, despite the initial phase showing low participation. Starting in 2020, Ottawa prohibited around 2,500 firearm types, justifying the action by stating that the listed makes and models are intended for military use rather than for hunting or sports shooting.
The policy has encountered resistance from the Conservative party and pro-gun organizations, claiming that law-abiding gun owners are being penalized instead of targeting criminals. In response to these concerns, the government pledged to reimburse owners by buying back the banned firearms.
The trial phase of the buyback program had limited engagement. Initially aiming to collect 200 firearms during a six-week trial in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, only 25 were turned in by 16 individuals. The disclosed results have sparked uncertainties about the effectiveness of the over $700 million program when it expands nationwide.
Anandasangaree, in a recent press briefing, expressed confidence in the overall success of the pilot, emphasizing the importance of testing the registration and retrieval capabilities for voluntarily surrendered firearms before the full program launch. He highlighted the adjustments made to address identified issues and assured readiness for the upcoming program rollout.
Regarding the returned firearms during the trial, Anandasangaree’s department declined to disclose specifics. Additionally, besides the low participation rate, another challenge facing the initiative is the limited formal commitment from provinces and law enforcement agencies.
Alberta and Saskatchewan have indicated resistance to the program, with Alberta presenting a detailed strategy in December to oppose what it perceives as an infringement on citizens’ rights. Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan and Premier Doug Ford of Ontario have also expressed reluctance to allocate provincial funds toward the buyback effort.
Critics have raised doubts about the Minister’s credibility, citing leaked comments where Anandasangaree appeared to question the program’s efficacy and mentioned the possibility of personally compensating dissatisfied gun owners. The government’s handling of the initiative will be closely monitored by gun-control advocates like PolySeSouvient, who stress the importance of preventing escalating gun violence akin to the situation in the United States.
Quebec stands out as the first province to endorse the federal buyback program, supported by a $12.4 million agreement. The RCMP, Quebec provincial police, and select municipal police forces have agreed to participate. The national implementation’s expected gun collection figures remain unspecified, with the amnesty period for banned firearm possession ending later this year, requiring owners to dispose of or deactivate listed firearms before October 30 or face legal repercussions.
