Saskatchewan is pushing back against the federal government’s expanded firearms ban, arguing the changes unfairly target law-abiding gun owners.
On March 7, the federal government added 179 more firearms to the banned list. The list has grown from 1,500 to over 2,500 models. Meanwhile, hunters and sports shooters across the province and county rely heavily on these guns.
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“Ensuring the safety and security of communities is a top priority for our government,” said corrections, policing and public safety minister Tim McLeod.
“Further expansion of the firearms ban will not reduce criminal activity and will only increase the budget for a federal buyback program that has already cost taxpayers $75 million. Continuing to target lawful firearms owners will not stop criminal acts involving firearms. Rather, we need to focus on addressing gang activity, the illegal use of firearms and the smuggling of firearms into Canada.”
Saskatchewan continues to fight firearms-related crime through the Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO). The SFO enforces the Saskatchewan Firearms Act and federal firearms laws. Additionally, they promote safe use and storage of firearms, ensure proper licensing and address firearms-related crime.
The SFO also licenses federal seizure agents for the government’s proposed buyback program. However, no federal applicants have registered to be seizure agents in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner, Robert Freberg, said the new ban will harm responsible gun owners without reducing crime.
“This announcement will only criminalize more lawful firearms owners, impact the heritage of responsible firearms ownership, and create more financial concerns for businesses and individuals already absorbing losses for firearms they cannot sell or use as a result of these ongoing, arbitrary bans,” said Freberg.
“These funds would be better spent supporting initiatives that encourage safe firearms use and target illegal activities involving firearms and smuggling across Canada.”
The Saskatchewan Ballistics Lab, run by the SFO, opened last spring at the Saskatoon Police Service. The lab conducts ballistics testing and traces firearms used in crimes. All municipalities will have access to a permanent lab set to open this fall in Saskatoon.
The lab has already reduced testing backlogs and traced several firearms to criminal investigations in Canada. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice recognized the lab for its work in preventing cross-border firearms trafficking and improving safety.
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