Canada gun ban: Additional 324 military-style firearms barred, explores donation to Ukraine amid growing tensions – Times of India

Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc speaks virtually at a press conference on new measures to strengthen gun control. (AP Image)

On Thursday, Canada announced a prohibition on 324 additional firearm models, which the public safety minister indicated were more suited for warfare than for sporting or hunting purposes. The Canadian government is exploring options to donate these weapons to Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression.
This prohibition follows the earlier ban from May 2020, which initially covered 1,500 firearm models and expanded to over 2,000 by November 2023 as additional variants were identified.
In a statement, Canadian government said, “As part of its comprehensive approach, on December 5, 2024, the Government announced the prohibition of more military style assault-style firearms. Accompanying the prohibition is an amnesty order, which expires on October 30, 2025, that protects businesses and owners while they come into compliance with the law.”
Public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc announced these latest restrictions on Thursday, addressing concerns from gun-control advocates about assault-style firearms not included in the 2020 prohibition. LeBlanc stated, “This means these firearms can no longer be used.”
Defence minister Bill Blair confirmed Ukraine’s interest in receiving some of these weapons, stating, “Every bit of assistance we can offer to the Ukrainians is one step toward their victory.”
The government is coordinating with provincial, territorial and law enforcement authorities regarding a programme to purchase prohibited weapons from current owners.
This announcement precedes the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique tragedy in Montreal, where 14 women lost their lives before the perpetrator’s suicide. The Ruger Mini-14 used in that incident was banned in 2020.
Nathalie Provost, who survived the attack, shared her experience: “These are just killing weapons, war weapons, military weapons, so I’m proud we are doing something.”
Canada experiences fewer mass shootings than the United States, partly due to stricter firearm access, despite acknowledging issues with illegally smuggled weapons used in criminal activities, AP news agency reported.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre criticised the announcement as a “stunt” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, claiming it unfairly targets “licensed & law-abiding hunters and sport shooters.”