Canada has banned an additional 324 types of firearms, bringing the total number of restricted models to over 2,000. The move follows a 2020 ban on 1,500 makes and models, which was expanded as new variants were identified. The Public Safety Minister said the restriction applies only to guns considered “battlefield” weapons, excluding those used by hunters or sport shooters.
The government is also exploring the possibility of donating these firearms to Ukraine to support their fight against Russia’s invasion. Defense Minister Bill Blair said Canada’s goal is to provide any assistance possible to the Ukrainians in their quest for victory.
A planned buyback program will allow provinces and territories to collect prohibited weapons from individual owners. The measure comes ahead of the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique shooting in Montreal, where a gunman used an assault-style firearm that was among those banned in 2020. Survivors have praised the move, saying it’s about taking away “killing weapons” from the public.
While mass shootings are rare in Canada, officials acknowledge guns smuggled into the country are often used by criminals. The government has taken steps to address this issue, but opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the announcement as a “stunt” aimed at targeting licensed hunters and sport shooters.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/canada-firearms-ban-ukraine-81ccaa341badb74bb27d34fc4bb29b17