The maximum jail sentence for gun smuggling is proposed to be increased to 14 years by the federal government, however, the current maximum sentence of 10 years has never been implemented by any court. During a House of Commons public safety committee meeting, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino stated that raising maximum sentences would send a strong message. The government’s Bill C-21, which aims to amend certain acts, would increase the sentence for gunrunning under the Criminal Code. Conservative MPs raised concerns about the effectiveness of the proposed changes, pointing out that the current maximum sentence had not been applied since 2016. The government noted that it did not know the total number of illegally smuggled firearms in Canada.