Impact of assault-style firearms ban on vendors
Date: June 4, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Branch/Agency: CSCCB
Issue:
The impact of the Government’s prohibition on assault-style firearms on vendors.
Proposed Response:
- On May 1, 2020, our Government banned over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms as well as component parts for some of the newly prohibited firearms. The prohibition limits access to the most dangerous firearms and removes them from the Canadian market.
- We understand the impact this may have on businesses which may now have unsaleable stock of newly prohibited firearms. That is why we have signalled our intent to implement a buyback program.
- The buy-back will provide fair compensation to affected owners. This includes businesses.
- Details of the buy-back program are still be finalized. We are looking at a range of options, and will work with our stakeholders to get this right for law-abiding gun owners and businesses.
- At the same time, the RCMP is working to update and finalize the changes to the Firearms Reference Table for all stakeholders.
Background:
On May 1, 2020, the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted were amended to prescribe as prohibited approximately 1,500 models of firearms and their variants, along with upper receivers for some newly-prohibited firearms. Of those, nine principal models of assault-style firearms are prohibited as they have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical military design with large magazine capacity); are of modern design, and are presented in large volumes in the Canadian market. Also included are two categories of firearm that exceed safe civilian use: firearms with 20 mm bore or greater or with a muzzle energy of greater than 10,000 Joules.
Firearms businesses and other stakeholders have noted that ongoing changes to the Firearms Reference Table has created confusion and uncertainty on what firearms may be captured under the prohibition.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Megan Furi, Manager, 613-949-0949
Approved by: Trevor Bhupsingh, A/Assistant Deputy Minister
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