OTTAWA – The Liberal government's firearm buyback program is entering a new phase following the March 31 deadline for individual gun owners to express their interest in the initiative. This program was instituted as part of the government's effort to address gun control in Canada.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree reported last week that over 52,000 firearms had been reported by individuals to the government, a figure that falls significantly short of the anticipated 136,000 firearms for which compensation funding had been allocated. This discrepancy raises concerns about the effectiveness of the buyback program and the potential challenges it may face moving forward.
The buyback program was officially launched for individual owners in January, aiming to help Canadians surrender specific firearms deemed illegal under the new regulations. Since May 2020, the government has prohibited approximately 2,500 types of firearms, including popular models such as the AR-15 and the Ruger Mini-14, which are classified as weapons that should only be used on the battlefield.
As the deadline for individual owners has passed, the Minister of Public Safety is expected to provide an update regarding the current statistics on the buyback program shortly. Early indications suggest that interest among individual gun owners has been lukewarm, prompting officials to reconsider their outreach and engagement strategies moving forward.
In a related development, the government plans to reopen the buyback program to businesses after initial efforts successfully collected over 12,000 guns. This move reflects a broader strategy to streamline the buyback process and extend its reach beyond individual gun owners.
The data provided so far highlights the complexities of implementing firearm regulations and the varied levels of compliance among different sectors of the gun-owning population in Canada. The Liberal government's commitment to reducing gun violence and promoting safety remains a pressing issue that necessitates continued evaluation and adaptation of their programs.
This report was first published on April 1, 2026, underscoring the ongoing developments in Canada's approach to firearm regulation and public safety measures.
