Following a deadly mass shooting last month that took the lives of 22 people, Canada has introduced a ban, effective immediately, that prohibits roughly 1,500 different models if firearms.
Among the newly banned firearms are all AR-15 and AR-10 styles.
Assault-style firearms designed for military use have no place in our communities. That’s why we banned 1,500 of them today. Get the details here: https://t.co/8EEsbW7qdf
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 1, 2020
The full list of models doesn’t seem to be available just yet, but an overall guide has been provided to let people know what is now illegal to own.
Current owners of any now-banned firearms will have 2 years of protection until the government is able to take their guns away. Translation: they won’t face any charges for owning them just yet, and they’ll have to give them up to the powers that be in the near future, like it or not.
Here is the full release from the Canadian government:
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 of Canada is introducing measures to combat gun violence, and help keep us safe.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced the ban of 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.
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 of Canada 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.
Next, Canada plans to ban drunk driving, which causes up to 1,500 deaths per year in the country. Not really, because that isn’t an actual concern.
