TORONTO – There are those who applaud and those who turn up their noses at Bill C-21 which contains restrictions on the control of firearms. On Monday, the liberals in Ottawa presented a bill that contains the nationwide blockade of imports and sales but which, while trying to limit the number of those already present in the country, does not contemplate their complete ban. 

It is a bill, this, which would also allow the automatic loss of licenses to carry a weapon to people who commit domestic violence or criminal harassment such as stalking. The Liberals also intend to combat arms smuggling and trafficking by increasing criminal sanctions, providing more tools to investigate firearms-related crimes, and strengthening border measures. In addition, the magazines would be permanently modified so that they can never hold more than five rounds.

Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino has already tabled regulatory amendments in Parliament to ensure that the national arms blockade can be implemented quickly. “This law would help stop the rise of personally owned guns in Canada and should go into effect in the fall of 2022,” Mendicino said.

Nathalie Prevost, a spokeswoman for the gun control advocacy group PolySeSouvient, said the gun freeze was a first and important step. “This is a big win for those who believe it’s important to have gun control in Canada,” he said, “it’s not just a gun stop, it’s a federal stop and so it’s very, very relevant. We must not diminish the magnitude of this decision.”

The mandatory repurchase of assault-style firearms by the government should not be underestimated. The buy-back plan has won the green light from gun control advocates, but Conservative MPs and others opposed to this decision fear that this will target ‘genuine’ gun owners while preventing illegal firearms from falling into the wrong hands.

The law in question will provide “significant tools” to reduce the amount of guns in communities and defend people from gun violence.

Prime Minister Trudeau said his government recognizes that the vast majority of Canadians who own guns and rifles are responsible people, but the level of gun violence is unacceptable. “This is a concrete and effective national measure that can go very far in ensuring the safety of Canadians – said Trudeau – the fewer weapons there are in our communities, the safer we will be”.

According to federal statistics, the number of guns registered in Canada increased by 71% between 2010 and 2020, reaching about 1.1 million. Toronto Mayor John Tory welcomed bill C21 which he deemed a “step in the right direction”. “Armed violence is a national problem that requires national solutions,” he said, “the Toronto City Council fully supports a national ban on firearms.”

Since the ruling liberals and the NDP have entered into an agreement under which the two political formations commit to supporting the incumbent government until June 2025, this law should not encounter any difficulties in being approved by Parliament.