Minister Mendicino announces proposed pricing model for assault-style firearms buyback program
News release
July 28, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario
Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. That is why the Government of Canada developed a comprehensive plan that gets firearms off our streets and puts more resources into our communities. A central part of this work is a ban on assault-style firearms, like AR-15s. Since May 2020, our Government has prohibited more than 1,500 different models of assault-style firearms from being used or sold in Canada. Beyond just banning these firearms, the Government has also committed to establishing a buyback program to remove assault-style firearms from our communities for good.
The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, today announced a significant step in the development of the mandatory buyback program. The Government published the proposed price list, which details the compensation that owners would receive when their firearms are bought back. The Government welcomes the opinions and insights of firearms owners on the proposed list, from now until August 28, 2022. The goal of this consultation is to receive input from firearms owners, businesses and industry on the proposed compensation amounts.
No single program or initiative can tackle the challenge of gun violence on its own. That is why the ban and buyback are two of the many elements in the Government’s comprehensive plan to keep Canadians safe. This begins at our borders, where we’ve added resources to fight smuggling and stop guns from coming into Canada. We’re investing in prevention programs to tackle the root causes of gun crime and stop it before it starts. Finally, we recently introduced Bill C-21 – the most significant action on gun violence in Canada in a generation – which includes a national freeze on handgun ownership, new “red flag” laws to stop domestic violence, and tougher penalties for organized crime.
Quotes
“Put simply, assault-style firearms, like the AR-15, do not belong in Canada. By design, their purpose is to kill as many people as possible, which is why our Government took the bold step of banning them from our country, once and for all. Today’s proposed price list represents another step towards getting these dangerous firearms out of Canadian communities while ensuring current firearms owners are compensated fairly.”
- The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety
Quick facts
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It will be mandatory for individuals to participate in the buyback program, have their assault-style firearms rendered inoperable at the Government’s expense, or otherwise lawfully disposed.
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The proposed price list for individual firearms owners was developed to reflect what Canadians may have paid for an assault-style firearm prior to May 2020.
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A separate and distinct compensation model for businesses that participate in the buyback program is in development. Specific consultations will also occur this summer.
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An Amnesty Order is in place until October 30, 2023, to protect lawful owners of now prohibited firearms from criminal liability while they take the necessary steps to comply with the law.
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The compensation models and other program details will be finalized in the coming months, and all known firearm owners will be contacted about how they can participate in the buyback program.
Related products
Associated links
- Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)
- A comprehensive strategy to address gun violence and strengthen gun laws in Canada: BILL C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)
- Homicide in Canada, 2020
- Trends in firearm-related violence crime in Canada, 2009 to 2020
- Firearms
Contacts
Audrey Champoux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
Audrey.Champoux@ps-sp.gc.ca
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
psmediarelations@ps-sp.gc.ca
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