MONTREAL: A deadly shooting in Montreal that claimed the lives of a police officer and a civilian has reignited calls for Canada to prohibit the sale of SKS rifles, with gun control advocates urging the federal government to take swift action.
According to reports confirmed by Radio-Canada, the firearm used in Monday’s attack in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges district was an SKS rifle, a semi-automatic weapon originally developed in the Soviet Union during the mid-20th century. While authorities have not officially identified the firearm involved, the revelation has intensified debate over Canada’s gun laws.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of Montreal police officer Mohamed Lamine Benredouane and civilian Michel Mizrahi, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting renewed scrutiny of firearms regulations.
In response, the advocacy organization PolySeSouvient called on the federal Liberal government to immediately halt new SKS rifle sales. The group argued that such a move would address a significant loophole in Canada’s firearms framework and demonstrate a stronger commitment to public safety.
Canada banned approximately 2,500 firearm models in 2020, citing their military-style characteristics and limited civilian use. However, the SKS rifle was excluded from the prohibition list, partly because it remains widely used by Indigenous communities for subsistence hunting and other lawful purposes.
Gun control advocates contend that the rifle has repeatedly surfaced in violent incidents, including attacks on law enforcement officers and other high-profile crimes. They argue that continued availability of the weapon undermines broader efforts to reduce gun violence.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the issue on Thursday, noting that the government is currently reviewing Canada’s firearms classification system. He said officials are consulting experts, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), before making decisions on potential future bans.
PolySeSouvient has also called for a clear timeline regarding consultations and regulatory measures affecting existing SKS rifles. The organization criticized what it described as slow progress, arguing that firearms linked to repeated acts of violence remain accessible despite ongoing policy discussions.
The debate has also drawn attention to Ottawa’s firearm buyback initiative. Critics note that some owners who surrender prohibited weapons under the compensation program can legally purchase an SKS rifle, a situation advocates say weakens the effectiveness of the government’s gun-control strategy.
As investigations into the Montreal shooting continue, the tragedy has once again placed firearm regulation at the center of Canada’s national conversation on public safety.
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