Ottawa has banned about 2,500 firearms, arguing that what they call “assault-style” firearms are largely designed for warfare, not hunting or sport shooting. Owners of banned guns had until March 31 to voluntarily declare.
It’s unclear how Albertans who participated will be compensated. Alberta has resisted the program, directing all provincial entities, including law enforcement agencies, to decline to implement the gun program under its provincial sovereignty legislation.
“Alberta’s government stands by its decision not to participate in the federal firearm confiscation program,” Minister of Justice Mickey Amery wrote in a statement.
“The federal firearm confiscation program was an expensive, waste of time that will not make a meaningful impact on public safety. Alberta believes in a principled and informed approach to firearm policy that does not target law-abiding gun owners and addresses real problems.”
While Quebec supports the plan, other provinces have also resisted. Along with Alberta, Saskatchewan also passed legislation aimed at hindering the program, something Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree called “regrettable” earlier this week.
— Joel Dryden in Albertans declare more than 7K banned guns under federal buyback, as province refuses program
Plus Alberta will have a referendum this fall to secede from Canada (via the constitutional provision Quebec demanded years ago, which truly is karmic).
Odd are that it won’t pass, but if the polls are close we might see Ottawa allow Alberta an exception to the gun laws (as well as other legislative sweeteners) to try and keep it in the fold. Because if Alberta leaves (and takes with it all the taxes and resources that subsidize the rest of the country), Canada writ large is toast fiscally, especially if Sask. and perhaps other Western provinces follows it.