Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree recently reassured an individual that they need not fear arrest for not surrendering a prohibited firearm, citing the limited resources municipal police have for such cases. In a recorded conversation, Anandasangaree mentioned the upcoming announcement of the next phase of the federal firearm buyback program and a pilot project in Nova Scotia.
The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights shared the recording, which was recorded without the minister’s knowledge. Since May 2020, the federal government has banned around 2,500 types of firearms classified as assault-style weapons. The government has established a buyback program to compensate owners fairly for their prohibited firearms.
To provide a grace period, the government has declared an amnesty until Oct. 30, safeguarding owners of banned firearms from legal consequences as they surrender or render their weapons inoperable. Anandasangaree, in the recording, downplayed the likelihood of the individual facing immediate consequences for non-compliance, citing resource constraints within municipal police services.
The minister also mentioned that the buyback program’s budget is set at $742 million. Anandasangaree clarified that the conversation occurred with a long-time acquaintance who recorded it without his knowledge, emphasizing his commitment to engaging with Canadians who hold differing views on gun safety measures.
Acknowledging that his remarks were misguided, Anandasangaree affirmed his dedication to implementing the policy effectively. In response to criticism in the House of Commons from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Anandasangaree defended the government’s stance on responsible gun control, contrasting it with the Conservative perspective on firearm regulation. Poilievre criticized the government for prioritizing the buyback program over funding for law enforcement and border security, accusing them of targeting law-abiding gun owners instead.