Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced that no further gun regulations would be put into place until after the next election. This announcement came after the public safety department issued a legal notice that will delay the enforcement of firearms marking regulations until after December 1, 2025. Originally expected to take effect in December 2023, these regulations would require firearms manufactured and sold in Canada to have standard serial numbers, but they have been delayed nine times before.
The legal notice stated that there is currently no legislative or regulatory requirement to mark firearms in Canada, although most manufacturers do so as a common business practice. However, the marking of firearms is seen as a critical element in tracing crime guns and combating illicit activities such as the trafficking of firearms. Therefore, despite the delay, the government remains committed to implementing these regulations.
In related news, the Senate recently voted to pass Bill C-21, which aims to put restrictions on handguns and increase penalties for firearm traffickers. The bill also creates new “red flag” provisions that allow the reporting of gun owners if there is a perceived risk. Additionally, LeBlanc postponed a federal buyback program for prohibited firearms and extended the amnesty for two years, until October 30, 2025.
The majority of firearms owners in Canada have expressed reluctance to participate in a buyback program, according to a report from public safety. Consequently, it remains to be seen how the government will overcome this challenge as it navigates the implementation of new gun regulations and a buyback program.