Firearms Ban Update

The federal government gave firearm owners more cause for concern when they banned another 324 models of what the Liberals deemed “assault-style firearms” on Dec. 5. These were predominantly centrefire semi-automatic rifles, but some .22 rimfire rifles were also included for the first time. Later, on Dec. 28, The Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA), the industry and business group for the firearms industry, reported proposed federal regulations that would require importers and manufacturers to provide detailed technical information about each firearm. “While the proposal does not directly affect individual firearms owners, it adds another layer of bureaucracy for the businesses that firearm owners rely on,” a CSAAA release stated. This includes not allowing firearms into Canada until each model is on the Firearms Reference Table. Wes Winkel, president of the CSAAA, said this could impact how quickly Canadians see new models on store shelves. He was also concerned about a proposal to mandate blocking high-capacity centrefire magazines to only five cartridges. The full proposal is listed on Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 52: Regulations Amending the Firearms Licences Regulations. Mark Ryckman of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters said, “The prohibition of an additional 324 makes and models of firearms demonstrates that the government has no interest in listening to the firearms community and is fully committed to continuing down this path in a misguided effort to tackle gun violence. Arbitrary bans based on appearance rather than use and function invariably results in absurd outcomes, like the prohibition of the GSG-16 family of firearms which are .22 calibre rimfire rifles used for target shooting and small game hunting. This is a continuation of the reclassification process started in May 2020 with the Order-in-Council and through Bill C-21, in which the government broadened the definition of a prohibited firearm. The original premise is still flawed — there is no discernible connection between their policy decisions and the problem they are trying to address, a concern that has been raised repeatedly by various police agencies and the CBSA.” Clearing the shelves Meanwhile, the so-called buyback of firearms from retailers and wholesalers has commenced. Winkel said some businesses have sent guns to Colt Canada as part of the program, but have received a promissory note, and no payment as of press time. He is unsure when pay outs will occur. “They have apparently been overwhelmed by the volume,”