Canada Firearms Buyback Reports 52,000 Guns, Short of Target

OTTAWA, Ontario - With one week remaining until the deadline for a federal compensation program for banned firearms, gun owners have reported more than 52,000 weapons to the government, falling well short of the 136,000 estimated by officials, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Tuesday.

The program, which opened in January for individual owners, provides financial compensation for surrendering or permanently deactivating prohibited firearms. Anandasangaree expressed cautious optimism about participation as the March 31 cutoff approaches. Owners who miss the deadline will not receive payment but must still dispose of or deactivate their guns by the end of an amnesty period on October 30, when possession of the banned models becomes illegal nationwide.

The federal government banned approximately 2,500 types of firearms in May 2020, classifying models such as the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14 as suitable only for military use on the battlefield. Officials have allocated up to $250 million for the buyback, aiming to remove these weapons from civilian hands while addressing public safety concerns raised after high-profile shootings.

Gun control advocates have praised the...