The Saskatchewan government has informed the RCMP that it will not financially support Ottawa’s efforts to implement a federal firearms buyback program within the state.
State Minister of Corrections, Police and Public Safety, Christine Tell, wrote to RCMP Assistant Rhonda Blackmore saying government funds pledged to the RCMP would seize and buy back firearms from Saskatchewan residents. Said it would never be used for. Robert Freberg, the state’s chief firearms officer.
Speaking on the September 28 radio program The John Gormley Show, Mr. Freeberg said Tell’s letter, delivered on September 27, showed that the Saskatchewan government was “genuinely focused on issues related to criminals.” “We fully support the anti-crime initiative,” he said. “The use of firearms” but “law-abiding, RCMP-scrutinized hunters, sports shooters, ranchers, farmers, and others who use firearms for lawful and legitimate purposes.” We do not support Influence Initiatives.
“That said, we do not allow the use of any kind of state-funded resources for federal buybacks. told host John Gormley.
In 2020, the federal government introduced legislation banning more than 1,500 models of what it calls “assault-style” firearms, including the AR-15.
in Ottawa said Its firearms buyback program is “mandatory” and new laws prohibit Canadian-owned guns must be sold to the government at a price determined by the federal government or be “legally disposed of.” .
Saskatchewan’s action on the buyback program comes after the Alberta government previously notified Ottawa that the federal government would not support Alberta’s efforts to seize and buy back illegal firearms.
“Alberta taxpayers pay more than $750 million a year for the RCMP and will not allow police officers to be taken off the streets to seize the property of law-abiding firearm owners. ‘ said State Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro. Press conference September 26th.
Freberg said the Saskatchewan RCMP receives more than $200 million from the state government each year, adding that implementing a buyback program is “not a priority” for taxpayer dollars.
Freberg also said the state’s RCMP is “hugely understaffed.”
“Getting people out and getting guns at their door is unlikely to be a priority for the RCMP,” Freberg said.
Asked by Gormley if Tell’s letter was “the end” of the matter for Saskatchewan, Freeberg replied, “No, it’s just the beginning.”
He added that the Saskatchewan government’s Cabinet “will make a fairly significant announcement” regarding the buyback program “later in the fall.”
“Look forward to it,” Freberg said.
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