OTTAWA – A leading gun-control group has issued strong criticism of the Canadian federal government's buyback program for assault-style firearms, arguing that it will prove ineffective and financially wasteful unless it includes a ban on the semi-automatic SKS rifle. This statement comes in light of ongoing discussions concerning the federal government's approach to firearms regulation.
Since May 2020, the Canadian government has prohibited around 2,500 types of firearms, branding them as unsuitable for civilian ownership due to their design for warfare rather than hunting or sport shooting. The government reassures firearm owners that a federal buyback program will compensate them fairly for these outlawed weapons, with fresh updates on the program slated for announcement on Tuesday.
However, a significant contention arises from the fact that the SKS rifle remains legal despite its history and implications. The SKS is notably utilized in various Indigenous communities across Canada for subsistence hunting. Yet, it has also been implicated in criminal activity, including police killings and high-profile shootings, which raises concerns about its continued presence in the public domain.
The advocacy group PolySeSouvient, established in the wake of the tragic 1989 mass shooting at Montreal’s École Polytechnique, has emphasized that if the SKS remains legal, it signifies a failure in public safety measures concerning firearms. They argue for immediate action to stop new sales of the SKS, withdraw modern, assault-style variants from circulation, and initiate a voluntary buyback program for older SKS models.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree confirmed that an announcement regarding the next phase of the buyback program is imminent, which will include a pilot initiative in Nova Scotia. He is expected to provide further details during a news conference on Parliament Hill later this afternoon.
PolySeSouvient's media statement expressed that without the prohibition of the SKS, Canada cannot truly claim a ban on assault-style weapons. They warn that if new SKS models continue to enter the market, they will likely replace other banned firearms. The group further articulated their concerns, stating, “Nothing will change in the long run, other than a waste of hundreds-of-millions of taxpayers’ dollars. Much of the buyback money will be injected into the gun industry, making manufacturers richer and the gun lobby stronger.”
This latest statement by PolySeSouvient comes as part of a broader dialogue on gun control, public safety, and the responsibilities of the government in regulating firearms in Canada. As discussions evolve and the buyback program unfolds, the future of firearms regulation in Canada remains a critical issue for both lawmakers and the public at large.
