The Canadian government has announced a ban on an additional 324 firearm models as part of its ongoing effort to restrict weapons deemed inappropriate for civilian use. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized that the targeted firearms belong “on the battlefield,” not in the hands of hunters or sport shooters.
This decision builds on the 2020 prohibition of 1,500 firearm models, which has grown to over 2,000 as more variants have been identified. Gun-control advocates had raised concerns that earlier measures left many assault-style firearms unregulated, prompting this latest action. “These firearms can no longer be used,” LeBlanc confirmed.
In an unexpected move, Canada is also working with Ukraine to donate some of the newly banned firearms to bolster its defense against Russia’s invasion. Defense Minister Bill Blair revealed ongoing discussions with Ukrainian authorities, who have shown interest in the weapons. “Every bit of assistance we can offer to the Ukrainians is one step toward their victory,” Blair said.
The government reiterated its commitment to a national buyback program designed to remove prohibited firearms from private ownership. The initiative is being developed in partnership with provincial, territorial, and law enforcement agencies.
The announcement coincides with the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 14 women were killed in a mass shooting. Among the weapons banned in 2020 was the Ruger Mini-14 used in that attack. Nathalie Provost, a survivor of the tragedy, expressed support for the government’s measures, calling the banned weapons “just killing weapons, war weapons, military weapons.”
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the government’s decision, accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration of unfairly targeting “licensed and law-abiding hunters and sport shooters” in what he described as a political maneuver.
While Canada experiences fewer mass shootings compared to the United States, it faces challenges with illegal firearms smuggled across the border, often linked to criminal activities.
(Source: UNB)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
