The Canadian government acknowledges acquiring valuable insights from a trial initiative aimed at purchasing prohibited firearms, despite a limited response from gun owners. Beginning in 2020, Ottawa prohibited approximately 2,500 models of firearms classified as “assault-style,” asserting their unsuitability for hunting and sports shooting due to their military design.
The ban faced criticism from the Conservative Opposition and firearm advocacy organizations. To address concerns, the government proposed a buyback program to compensate owners fairly. A voluntary six-week pilot project, launched in Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton region this autumn, aimed to test the buyback process. Officials had initially anticipated collecting around 200 firearms during this trial but only managed to collect and destroy 25 guns, with 16 individuals participating.
The Department of Public Safety disclosed this information on Wednesday, refraining from detailing the specific types of firearms surrendered during the pilot. Simon Lafortune, spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangare, highlighted that the initiative was crucial for evaluating operational processes, identifying strengths, and rectifying any shortcomings before nationwide implementation.
Lessons learned from the pilot emphasized the necessity for a more streamlined registration procedure and clearer instructions. The evaluation also revealed functional deficiencies in the online portal that might have posed challenges for participants. Additionally, the government committed to allocating up to $12.4 million to assist Quebec in managing its buyback program, a move welcomed by Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière as a stride towards community safety.
The amnesty period for possessing banned firearms has undergone multiple extensions, with the current deadline set for October 30, 2026.