Article author:
The Canadian Press
Jim Bronskill
OTTAWA — As Today, individuals and businesses can no longer import restricted handguns into Canada.
The move, announced earlier this month, aims to advance a key pillar of federal efforts to limit the number of handguns in the country.
In May the liberal government announced plans to freeze the importation, purchase, sale, or other transfer of handguns in an effort to quell firearms-related violence.
This measure will automatically remove gun licenses from people who have committed domestic violence or engaged in criminal harassment, such as stalking, and allow for increased gun penalties. is part of a broader firearms control package.
Last spring, Public Security Minister Marco He Mendicino introduced regulatory amendments to both the House and Senate to allow a nationwide freeze on handguns to be implemented expeditiously.
However, the regulation is not expected to take effect until this fall, and accompanying legislation has not yet been approved by Congress.
The changes initiated today will continue until a permanent freeze is passed by Congress and implemented.
Gun control group PolySeSouvient hailed the interim measures earlier this month as a creative step to slow the expansion of the handgun market.
Conservative public safety commentator Raquel Dancho said the move was targeting law-abiding citizens and businesses, not illegal or smuggled guns.
The government said it would freeze handgun numbers in Canada, noting that she was the most serious weapon in firearm-related violent crimes from 2009 to 2020. said to be able to ensure the safety of
Additionally, the number of handguns registered in Canada increased by 71% between 2010 and 2020, reaching about 1.1 million.
"The whole world of handguns exploded," Mendicino said in an interview. “At the same time, we have also seen the prevalence of handgun violence. , making handguns more accessible to everyone, including criminals.”
Liberals also advocate for prevention programs to address the root causes of gun crime and stop it before it starts.
Additionally, the 2021 budget calls for increased firearms tracking capabilities and stronger border measures to combat gun smuggling and human trafficking. Provided over $312 million in new funding to implement.
Mendicino points to a significant increase in border gun seizures last year compared to 2020 as evidence of progress.
"I am confident that we are making progress in the fight against border gun trafficking." First published on March 19th.
Sign up to receive daily top stories from National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
Thank you for registering.
Sending welcome email. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder.
The next issue of NP Posted will arrive in your mailbox shortly.
