The Canadian federal government has announced the latest phase of its national gun buyback initiative, giving citizens approximately two months to express their interest in participating to receive compensation for surrendering prohibited firearms. Since 2020, Ottawa has prohibited around 2,500 brands and models of what it deems “assault-style” firearms, citing their military design unsuitable for hunting or sports shooting.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stressed the voluntary nature of the compensation program while emphasizing the mandatory compliance with the law. The declaration period kicks off on Monday and extends until March 31, allowing Canadians to submit their declarations through an online platform or by traditional means.
Compensation payouts will be processed within 45 business days upon successful validation of the surrendered firearm. The program has a budget of $248.6 million, aiming to cover approximately 136,000 outlawed firearms from individual owners. Those who miss the March 31 deadline will forfeit their chance to participate in the program and receive compensation.
Compensation will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the submission date of the declaration and the availability of program funds at that time. The amnesty period for owning prohibited firearms will conclude on October 30, 2026, after which unregistered firearm possession will be considered illegal and subject to prosecution.
Firearm owners who opt out of the buyback program can choose to permanently deactivate their firearms at their own expense, relinquish them to local law enforcement without compensation, or export them if they possess the necessary permits. Additionally, businesses with prohibited firearms will have an opportunity to engage in the buyback program once the individual declaration process is complete.
Despite opposition from certain gun owners and the Conservative Party of Canada, the federal government remains committed to the buyback program. Alberta and Saskatchewan have opted out of the initiative, implementing their regulations regarding seized firearms. The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights criticized the program, calling it wasteful and ineffective, advocating for broader compensation for affected gun owners.
Anandasangaree defended the buyback program, asserting that removing assault-style firearms from communities enhances public safety. A coalition of gun control advocates hailed the initiative as a victory for public safety, emphasizing the serious risks posed by the outlawed firearms in mass shootings and attacks on law enforcement officers.
In a statement, the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights criticized Ottawa’s decision to move forward with the program, which it described as “wasteful, ineffective and divisive.” It called on the government to pay all affected gun owners, rather than limit itself to a specific pool of money.
Opponents of the buyback program, including the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, expressed skepticism about the government’s focus on gun control rather than addressing broader issues of crime and violence. Anandasangaree reiterated that the ban on assault-style firearms will not be revisited, emphasizing the program’s role in enhancing public safety.
The government’s six-week pilot project in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, aimed to test the buyback process’s efficiency but fell short of expectations, with only 25 firearms collected and destroyed. The Department of Public Safety reported the participation of 16 individuals in the pilot initiative.
Anandasangaree previously faced criticism for suggesting leniency towards those refusing to surrender banned firearms, citing limited police resources for enforcement. He also acknowledged the political significance of the buyback program in Quebec. Despite the controversies, Anandasangaree reaffirmed the program’s adherence to the law and the importance of public safety.