PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced a ban on over 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms. These models represent nine categories of firearms and two types identified by characteristic. Some of their components are also prohibited.
Trudeau said one Canadian killed by gun violence is one too many. Violent crimes involving firearms continue to have devastating impacts on communities across the country, and on Canadians who have lost loved ones to these crimes. Events like the recent tragedy in Nova Scotia, the attack in 2017 at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec, and the massacre that took place in 1989 at École Polytechnique de Montréal should never have happened. That is why the government was introducing measures to combat gun violence, and help keep Canadians safe.
The newly prohibited firearms and components cannot be legally used, sold, or imported. Owners must also continue to safely store them, and may only transfer and transport them under limited circumstances. These measures will remove dangerous firearms designed for military use from our communities, and help ensure that Canadian families and communities no longer suffer from gun violence.
There will be a transition period of two years to protect owners of newly prohibited firearms from criminal liability while they take steps to comply with these new rules. This two-year amnesty order under the Criminal Code is in effect until April 30, 2022. There are exceptions under the amnesty for Indigenous peoples exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights to hunt, and for those who hunt or trap to sustain themselves or their families. These exceptions will allow for the continued use of newly prohibited firearms in limited circumstances until a suitable replacement can be found. By the end of the amnesty period, all firearms owners must comply with the ban.
The government intends to implement a buy-back program as soon as possible to safely remove these firearms and to introduce legislation as early as possible, working with Parliament and through public consultation.
Trudeau said: “Because of gun violence, people are dying, families are grieving, and communities are suffering. It must end. Assault-style firearms designed for military use have no place in Canada. By removing them from our streets, we will limit the devastating effects of gun-related violence and help make our country safer.”
Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, added: “Prohibiting these firearms immediately freezes the market in Canada for the most prevalent assault-style firearms that are not suitable for hunting or sports shooting purposes. These dangerous firearms are designed for the battlefield, not for communities, but have been used tragically to target women, students and worshippers because they are efficient in maximizing fatalities. Today’s initiative is the first step in a broader firearms strategy that will address illegal activities, violence, and self-harm. Our government is also committed to protecting public safety, while ensuring hunters, farmers, and law-abiding recreational firearms owners are also treated respectfully and fairly.”
David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, asserted: “Weapons designed for the battlefield have no place on our streets or in our communities. Canadians gave us a clear mandate to ban these dangerous weapons. That is exactly what we are doing with the targeted measures we are announcing today.”
Quick Facts
- In Canada, there are currently over 100,000 restricted firearms among the models that are now prohibited. This number does not include other newly-prohibited models that were not subject to registration requirements.
- An individual should not deliver a firearm to a police station without first making arrangements with a police officer for a safe and scheduled delivery or pick up. Individuals should not surrender their firearm while physical distancing requirements are in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Firearms owners must keep their firearms securely stored in accordance with the storage requirements until more information on the buy-back program is available.
- A Criminal Code amnesty is in place until April 30, 2022, to protect lawful owners from criminal liability and to enable them to comply with the law. Under the amnesty, the newly prohibited firearms can only be transferred or transported within Canada for specific purposes.
- Unless you are an Indigenous person exercising treaty rights to hunt or a sustenance hunter, you can only transfer or transport in accordance with the amnesty, such as to:
- have them deactivated by an approved business
- return them to a lawful owner’s residence
- export them lawfully
- surrender them to police without compensation
Prohibition on assault-style firearms
The following categories of firearms (or any variants, current or future, included under the principal model) are classified as prohibited under the Criminal Code as of May 1, 2020.
Firearm | Old Classification | New Classification |
M16, M4, AR-10, AR-15 rifle* | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
Ruger Mini-14 rifle | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
Vz58 rifle | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
M14 rifle | Non-restricted | Prohibited |
Beretta CX4 Storm carbine | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
Robinson Armament XCR rifle | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 carbine and pistol | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
SIG Sauer SIG MCX and SIG Sauer SIG MPX carbine and pistol* | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
Swiss Arms Classic Green and Seasons Series rifles | Non-restricted/Restricted | Prohibited |
*Upper receiver is also prescribed as a prohibited device
In addition to the list prohibited by model, all firearms with one or more of the following physical characteristics are prohibited on the basis that their potential power exceeds safe civilian use:
- Firearms with a bore 20mm or greater (e.g., grenade launchers)
- Firearms capable of discharging a projectile with a muzzle energy greater than 10,000 Joules (e.g. sniper rifles)
A list of prohibited firearms is available in Canada Gazette, Part II.