Canada expands firearm ban, plans to donate weapons to Ukraine

On December 5, Canada announced the prohibition of an additional 324 firearm models, expanding its firearm control measures. 

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that these firearms are designed for battlefields, not for hunting or sport shooting, Caliber.Az reports referring to US media.

The latest ban builds on a May 2020 decision that initially prohibited 1,500 firearm models, which has since grown to over 2,000. 

According to LeBlanc, these newly banned firearms are no longer permitted for civilian use. The move comes amid growing concerns from gun-control advocates about assault-style weapons that were not addressed in earlier bans.

Defense Minister Bill Blair revealed that Canada has consulted with Ukrainian officials regarding the potential donation of the banned firearms to support Ukraine's defence. “Every bit of assistance we can offer to the Ukrainians is one step toward their victory,” Blair said.

The federal government is coordinating with provincial authorities and law enforcement to organize a buyback program for prohibited firearms owned by civilians.

The announcement coincides with the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where a gunman killed 14 women using a Ruger Mini-14, a weapon banned in the 2020 legislation. Survivor Nathalie Provost, who was wounded in the attack, praised the new measures, calling the targeted firearms “war weapons, military weapons” and expressing pride in Canada’s actions.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative opposition, criticized the ban as a political manoeuvre by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, arguing it unfairly targets “licensed & law-abiding hunters and sport shooters.”

Canada has relatively low rates of mass shootings compared to the US, partly due to stricter gun control. However, officials have acknowledged the issue of illegal firearms smuggled into the country, which are often used in criminal activities.

By Tamilla Hasanova