The federal government is unveiling plans for a national gun buyback program.
The details announced Tuesday come after the federal government announced a ban on 1,500 types of assault-style weapons last Spring.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is bringing the bill forward, explaining the goal is to end the use of those weapons.
“We have proposed, through this legislation, strong incentives for the surrender and compensation of these weapons, eliminating all elements of legal use. They can’t be shot. They can’t be traded. They can’t be transported. They can’t be sold, and they can’t be bequeathed,” says Blair.
If the bill passes, any owner who doesn’t surrender a banned weapon will be held responsible if it is used in a crime.
Blair emphasizes this would only apply to banned weapons.
“There is nothing in the measures that we are bringing forward intended to interfere or make more difficult the activities of legitimate hunting and sport activities with firearms,” he adds.
The legislation would also allow municipalities to create by-laws restricting handguns, and increase penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking.
