Federal government triggers gun buyback program

The federal government’s controversial buyback program of the more than 2,500 makes and models of guns it has deemed too dangerous for public use is now in effect, with a March deadline.

The Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) was developed to provide an option for eligible businesses and individuals who own these prohibited firearms to comply with the weapons-ban amnesty period ending on October 30, states Ottawa.

“The deadlines are real,” says Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. “Please heed them.

Gun advocates and firearms rights groups in Canada have strongly criticized the buyback program, calling out a confiscation scheme that it penalizes many of the 2.4 million lawful, licensed owners rather than criminals, and targets firearms commonly and legitimately used for hunting and sports.

The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights and provincial governments in Alberta and Saskatchewan, contend that the program is a costly, ineffective “gun grab” that ignores the use of these firearms by hunters and sport shooters.

And it’s also not clear if all those who chose to turn in the now-illegal weapons will receive compensation, as it’s subject to availability of program funds.

The National Post reports the Quebec government is so far the only province to commit to assist the federal government in efforts to collect the banned firearms, recently signing a $12-million agreement to help with coordination work.

The Post reports Ontario has rejected taking part, same with Yukon and Manitoba.

And this week, the GNWT “clarified its role” in relation to the buyback program, as it’s leaving the administration up to the federal government.

The GNWT’s priority remains focused on community safety and effective policing, stated a release.

Justice Minister Jay Macdonald stated in a release the GNWT has emphasized to the federal government the importance of providing clear, direct communication to all Indigenous governments in the territory on how the program will operate in the North.

Stated the Minister: “Our government’s primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of communities across the Northwest Territories. To support this, we are focused on ensuring the territorial resources are in place so that the RCMP can concentrate on core policing duties essential to community safety.”

The GNWT stated it has maintained ongoing communication with Public Safety Canada and has consistently communicated that it will not administer the program.

The GNWT has also shared this information with the NWT Council of Leaders and encouraged Indigenous governments to engage directly with Public Safety Canada on program‑specific questions.

Territorial Justice Department spokesperson Ngan Trinh told CKLB the GNWT supports public safety measures that uphold the rights of lawful gun owners, including Indigenous people and Northerners who utilize these critical tools for hunting, employment, and subsistence.

Trinh stated: “This is a longstanding GNWT position that the Department of Justice has communicated to the federal government on numerous occasions over the years.”

The federal government has confirmed that it will design and administer the compensation program independently in the territory, stated a release.

On January 19, 2026, Public Service Canada notified restricted firearms license holders across Canada of their obligations under the program and outlined the potential consequences of non‑compliance.

Gun owners will have until the end of March to declare their intention to participate in the federal buyback program.

In recognition of the unique logistical realities in the Northwest Territories, including the absence of local service providers, Public Service Canada has indicated that firearms owners will be supported through mailed return kits and other collection options tailored to northern communities.

Minister Anandasangaree, who announced the launch of the program, suggested not every gun owner who registers to participate would be guaranteed compensation.

“I urge you to declare as early as you can because submitting a declaration does not guarantee compensation,” he said at a media conference in Montreal. “Declarations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights estimates there are over two million firearms in Canada that were previously non-restricted and are now prohibited via recent bans.

Public Safety Canada confirmed to Canadian Press that some $250 million had been set aside for payments, with the money expected to cover up to 136,000 guns.

The whole ban and buyback initiative was promised by former prime minister Justin Trudeau during the 2019 federal election.

Anandasangaree noted more than 19,000 non-restricted makes and models of firearms remain available for hunting and sport shooting.

Whether to include versions of the SKS, a popular hunting rifle, on the government’s list of “assault-style” firearms remains under review.

While some gun-control advocates, mostly from urban centres, have lobbied the Liberals to add the SKS platform to the banned list, the feds stated that additional consultation is needed with Indigenous communities, given how it is popular for hunting.

Saskatchewan and Alberta have taken legal action against implementing the federal program.

Anandasangaree said officials were working through issues with those provinces.

While participating in the buyback program is voluntary, compliance with the law is not.

Businesses and individual firearm owners must safely dispose of or permanently deactivate their assault-style firearms before the amnesty period ends on October 30, or risk criminal liability for the illegal possession of a prohibited firearm.

Ottawa defines “assault-style” firearms as semi-automatic weapons with sustained rapid-fire capability, modern design, and large magazine capacity.

Beginning in the 2010s, AR-15–style rifles became one of the “most beloved and most vilified rifles” in the United States, according to The New York Times. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Advocates argue firearms are being banned based on their appearance (“black and ugly”) rather than their actual function, comparing the move to banning specific car models to stop speeding. The program is voluntary for owners to participate in, but compliance with the law is mandatory.

• Flat Rate Compensation: $400 to $700 per firearm, depending on features.
• Special Compensation: $700 for firearms with a muzzle energy in excess of 10,000 Joules or 20mm bore or greater.
• Lower Receivers: $550 compensation for fully assembled receivers.
• Prohibited Firearms: Since May 2020, around 2,500 models have been banned, including the AR-15, Ruger Mini-14, M14, Vz58, Robinson Armament XCR, and various SIG Sauer and Beretta models.

Despite the bans, over 19,000 non-restricted models remain legal for hunting and sport shooting. 

The Remington Model 700 is part of a series of bolt-action (later semi-automatic 7400 series) centre-fire rifles manufactured by Remington Arms since 1962. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Commonly used hunting firearms:

• Bolt-Action Rifles: Remington 700, Tikka T3x Lite, Savage Axis, Browning X-Bolt, Ruger American Rifle.
• Lever-Action Rifles: Marlin 336, Winchester Model 94, Henry Big Boy.
• Pump-Action Shotguns: Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Winchester SXP.
• Semi-Automatic Shotguns: Weatherby SA-08.

Commonly used sport shooting firearms:

• Rimfire Rifles: Ruger 10/22 (often used for plinking and target practice).
• Target Shotguns: Benelli SuperNova.
• Handguns (Pre-Oct 2022): Smith & Wesson M&P, Glock 19, Sig Sauer P320 (subject to a national freeze on new transfers/sales).

— From various sources

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85-002-x/2024001/article/00001-eng.pdf?st=wAKinGc9