Firearms sellers and firearms owner advocacy groups ironically greeted details of the recently announced federal firearms repurchase program, stating that firearms that do not need to surrender in the first place are not sufficiently priced.
On July 28, the Canadian Ministry of Public Security price list About the amount that owners of banned assault style firearms can expect to receive under mandatory programs. The Swiss Arms SG550 assault rifle will get $ 6,209 and the AR-15 rifle will get $ 1,337. These are just two of the more than 1,500 models and variants of previously legal assault-style guns that the Federal Reserve no longer allows civilians to own.
Blair Hagen, Executive Vice President Communication of the National Firearms Association, states that the gun ban and repurchase program is a “violation of citizenship” imported from the US anti-gun story.
“They can set prices and plans that they want and think are fair. After all, everyone knows that’s not the case,” Hagen said in an interview.
Federal government wants Public input The proposed compensation amount is by 28 August and the owner must comply by 30 October 2023. All known firearm owners will be contacted by the government on how to participate in the program.
“This was totally rejected by the firearms community who didn’t support it,” Hagen said. “There will be legal issues this fall. There may be federal elections at about the same time. We will continue to fight to defeat this.”
Rod Giltaka, CEO and Executive Director of the Canadian Firearms Rights Coalition, said in an interview that the proposal failed.
“For the AR-15, $ 1,337, which is a pointless number for gun owners. Many AR-15s cost more than $ 2,500, compared to the AR-15 available for $ 900 before the ban. Because we’re doing it, so it’s ridiculous to put a single number to represent every AR-15 at every value, “said Giltaca.
“These firearms are no different from a variety of other firearms that are not yet restricted in the Canadian market,” he said. “Also, these firearms pose no greater threat than other firearms currently unrestricted, including those not considered assault-type firearms by the government.”
Jim Osadczuk, owner of Sebarms Gunsand Gear in Edmonton, says he does not expect the government to seize legally purchased guns to respect fair prices.
“They’re going to give you a dime for $ 1. That’s my opinion, but I guarantee that the government isn’t paying a fair market value for anything … [Owners should] Wait, wait till the end.Everything has 100 extensions [Trudeau] We are planning, “he said.
“Political exercises” and protection of public security
Testimony and evidence from the Mass Casualty Commission reveals details of the gun used by RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki when a Nova Scotia detachment killed 22 people in the state in April 2020. Revealed what he wanted to do. Prohibit certain firearms.
The weapons used by the murderers in the tragedy were not legally obtained.
Hagen says the revelation “shines a lot of light” on where the desire for a gun ban comes from. “The Liberal Party has consistently said that law enforcement is demanding this. Law enforcement is in favor of this, but frankly, except within the Liberal Caucus itself. It’s pretty clear that there is no future support, “Hagen said.
“If they do this, there will be more political controversy. There is a lot of frustration, and not all of them will lead to successful or positive contributions to the concept of public security.”
The Proposed price list We offer one price for each of the 11 categories of assault-style firearms. As explained in the online documentation, “Price lists include data sources such as manufacturer prices, Canadian retailer prices, foreign retailer prices (USA / EU, etc.), pricing guidebooks, auction lists, etc. Created using. “Additionally,” The price list offered to individual firearm owners above is subject to change. “
The government then quietly added another 300 models to its original list of 1,500, which was banned on May 1, 2020, making it retroactively illegal. Giltaka says the government’s approach does not stimulate compliance.
“This has nothing to do with public security. It’s a political exercise,” Giltaca said.
In May, the Liberal Party government Firearms management bill It will freeze the import, sale, purchase, and transfer of pistols in Canada.
“Too many Canadians have been killed by gun violence. I have often seen the tragic sacrifices that gun violence brings to our community across the country. Today we use guns. We are proposing some of the most powerful measures in Canadian history to move away from our community and build a safer future for all. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on May 30. ..
“The law will help reduce gun violence and keep Canadians safe,” said Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Security, as part of the free government’s promise to Canadians. rice field.
Cost estimates are different
In June 2021, a parliamentary budget official said the program could cost the government $ 756 million to buy back 518,000 assault guns that industry officials estimate are in the country. Stated. In contrast, the government estimates that there are only about 150,000 guns, and budget officials said the purchase could cost up to $ 225 million.
Hagen believes the government underestimates the cost of the program and points to the example of the Long Gun Registry introduced in the mid-1990s. The Liberal government on that day exceeded the initial estimate of $ 2 million and spent $ 2 billion by 2004.
The Epoch Times also asked the Gun Control Coalition for comment, but did not respond.according to That websiteThe group supports “a ban on civilian ownership of military assault weapons” and “a ban on private ownership of pistols, with a few limited exceptions.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
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Lee Harding is a Saskatchewan-based journalist and think tank researcher and contributor to The Epoch Times.