Photo courtesy Adam Scotti (PMO) / JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

By Caden Fanshaw

FEDERAL GOV

Liberals propose new firearms legislation would give municipalities power to ban handguns

Feb 16, 2021 | 5:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The federal government announced new gun control legislation Tuesday morning. If passed the legislation would allow municipalities to impose a ban on handguns within city limits and begin a gun buy-back program for those military-grade “assault-style firearms”.

There were few details released according to local Conservative MP Bob Zimmer, who says the details on a gun buy-back program are still unclear.

Zimmer says the proposed legislation contributes to the on-going theme of taking rights away from lawful firearm owners and doesn’t address the real problem.

“One Canadian killed by gun violence is one too many. The tragedies we have seen in Ste-Foy and Portapique, and more recently in Toronto and Montréal, should never happen. This is why our government has taken some of the strongest action in our country’s history against gun violence. We will continue to take steps to strengthen gun control measures, remove dangerous weapons from our streets, and make sure everyone can feel safe from violence,” says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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There were not estimates given from the federal government on how much buying back guns could cost.

The bill would also increase criminal penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking, and enhance the capacity of police and border officers to keep illegal firearms out of the country.

It would also create new offences for altering the cartridge magazine of a firearm and introduce tighter restrictions on importing ammunition.

Local business KKS Tactical Supplies say they are concerned and wonder what the future holds after losing tens of thousands of dollars in lost inventory due to changes in the gun rules in May.

Cassy Premack, owner says she still has customers calling into her store wondering if the weapons they have are legal or not.

Premack worries about misinformation, and hopes the message gets across as to what is and what isn’t legal more clearly sooner than later.

MP Zimmer says if anyone is concerned about the changing rules, and wants more clarification, they should read the proposed legislation, or contact their local MP for more details.