Canada’s effort to remove thousands of prohibited firearms through a national buyback program is encountering growing criticism from gun owners, provincial governments, and even some gun control advocates, raising concerns about whether the country’s largest gun control initiative in decades will meet its objectives. The program, introduced after Ottawa banned roughly 2,500 models of assault style firearms, was designed to compensate owners who surrender newly prohibited weapons, but its rollout has been slower and more complicated than expected.
Advocates for stricter gun laws say the initiative represents an important step toward improving public safety, yet they argue the policy does not go far enough. Heidi Rathjen of the advocacy group PolySeSouvient said the exclusion of certain semi automatic rifles from the ban weakens the overall impact of the program. She warned that without broader restrictions, the government risks spending significant resources without achieving meaningful reductions in firearm related risks.
At the same time, some firearm retailers and legal gun owners say the program has created confusion about which weapons are affected and how the process works. Montreal gun shop owner Frank Nardi said customers frequently struggle to determine whether their firearms fall under the prohibition list. He also argued that many licensed hunters and sport shooters feel unfairly targeted despite following existing safety regulations.
Resistance from several provinces has added another layer of complexity to implementation. Alberta has indicated it will not enforce elements of the program, while Saskatchewan has introduced measures intended to shield firearm owners from legal penalties until compensation concerns are resolved. Some police services have also expressed reluctance to participate, citing operational burdens and a preference to prioritize enforcement against illegal firearm trafficking.
Experts note that Canada’s approach differs from earlier buyback programs in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where firearm reforms were introduced rapidly alongside broader policy changes following major mass shootings. Researchers suggest Canada’s more gradual and fragmented rollout may limit the program’s effectiveness compared with those international examples.
Despite the challenges, the federal government has signaled it intends to continue with the buyback effort. Officials report that tens of thousands of firearms have already been voluntarily declared, and an extended amnesty period remains in place while legal challenges proceed through the courts. The outcome of those cases may ultimately shape how the program moves forward and whether it achieves its long term public safety goals.
