Canada has announced a ban on an additional 324 types of firearms, with Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stating that these weapons are meant for battlefields, not for civilian use. The new restrictions expand on the May 2020 ban, which initially covered 1,500 firearm models and later grew to over 2,000 by November 2024. The latest ban targets assault-style firearms that gun-control advocates had expressed concern about being omitted from the earlier restrictions.
The Canadian government is also in talks with Ukraine to explore donating some of these firearms to support its defense against Russia’s invasion. Defense Minister Bill Blair confirmed that Ukrainian authorities showed interest in receiving some of these weapons.
Although mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada, the announcement comes just before the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique shooting in Montreal, where 14 women were killed. The gun used in that attack, a Ruger Mini-14, was included in the 2020 ban. Survivor Nathalie Provost, who was injured in the shooting, praised the new measures, calling the banned firearms “military weapons” that are used for killing.
While Canada has fewer mass shootings than the U.S., gun-related crimes are still a concern, particularly with firearms smuggled into the country. In response to the ban, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the government, claiming the move unfairly targets law-abiding hunters and sport shooters.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE