Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has praised the initial trial of the government’s primary gun control initiative as a success, despite limited participation. Since 2020, Ottawa has prohibited about 2,500 types of firearms, arguing that these models are intended for warfare rather than for hunting or sport shooting.
The policy has encountered resistance from the Conservatives and firearm advocacy groups, who claim that it unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners instead of addressing criminal activity. In response, the government proposed a buyback program to fairly compensate owners who surrender their firearms voluntarily.
The trial run of the buyback initiative saw minimal engagement, with only 25 firearms surrendered by 16 individuals in Cape Breton, N.S., falling short of the anticipated 200 firearms during the six-week pilot. These results, disclosed recently, raise concerns about the implementation of the over $700-million program nationwide.
Anandasangaree stated during a press briefing that he considers the pilot a success overall. He highlighted the importance of testing the registration and retrieval capabilities for firearms voluntarily given up by individuals.
The Minister emphasized that the pilot was not solely about numerical outcomes and expressed optimism for increased participation when the full program is rolled out in the near future. The government has addressed identified issues with the online portal and other aspects, positioning them well for the program’s launch.
The department did not disclose the specific makes and models returned during the pilot phase. Additionally, several provinces, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, are resisting the program, citing concerns about citizens’ rights and constitutional issues.
There are doubts about the Minister’s credibility, with critics pointing to leaked comments questioning the program’s effectiveness. Political observers believe that the government must address messaging challenges and regain public trust for the buyback to succeed.
Gun-control advocacy group PolySeSouvient is closely monitoring the program’s progress, emphasizing the importance of preventing escalating gun violence in Canada. Quebec is the first province to support the buyback initiative, with other law enforcement agencies also participating.
The government has only announced one funding agreement with Quebec, totaling $12.4 million. The RCMP and Quebec provincial police, alongside other local police services, have agreed to be part of the program. The national rollout’s gun collection estimate remains undisclosed, with the amnesty period for banned firearms possession ending later this year, requiring owners to dispose of or deactivate listed firearms by October 30 to avoid legal repercussions.
