Key Takeaways:
- The Canadian federal government is rolling out a gun buyback program across the country, despite a pilot in Nova Scotia suggesting low turnout.
- The pilot collected around 22 outlawed firearms, a fraction of the government’s target of 200.
- The program aims to reduce gun crime and has faced opposition from some groups who argue it targets law-abiding citizens.
- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has defended the program, saying it will help reduce gun crime and that the government has learned from the pilot.
- The minister has also faced criticism for comments he made in a leaked audio recording, suggesting that an acquaintance shouldn’t worry about being arrested for refusing to turn in a banned firearm.
Introduction to the Gun Buyback Program
The Canadian federal government has announced that it will be rolling out a gun buyback program across the country, despite a pilot in Nova Scotia suggesting low turnout. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree made the announcement, stating that the program will be implemented nationwide, although the exact details of the rollout are not yet clear. The pilot program, which was launched in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, aimed to collect 200 assault-style firearms, but it appears that only a fraction of that number was collected.
The Pilot Program in Nova Scotia
The pilot program in Nova Scotia was launched on October 1 and lasted for six weeks. The goal of the program was to test its elements and collect an initial 200 assault-style firearms. However, according to the chair of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s police commission, Coun. Glenn Paruch, only around 22 outlawed firearms were collected. While Paruch did not comment on whether this number should be considered successful, he was supportive of the program, suggesting that even a small number of guns collected could add up to a significant total when scaled up nationally.
Reaction to the Pilot Program
The pilot program faced opposition from some groups, with over 100 people protesting outside Cape Breton Regional Police headquarters to call on Ottawa to scrap the ban and buyback program. The protesters argued that the federal government is blaming law-abiding citizens for gun crime, rather than addressing the root causes of the problem. Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree has defended the program, saying that it will help reduce gun crime and that the government has learned from the pilot. He also stated that the systems are now operational and ready to go, and that the government will be rolling out the program across Canada.
Controversy Surrounding the Minister
Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree has faced criticism for comments he made in a leaked audio recording, suggesting that an acquaintance shouldn’t worry about being arrested for refusing to turn in a banned firearm because municipal police have few resources to devote to such matters. The minister was also recorded saying that the buyback was in part being done because the issue is important to Quebec voters. Anandasangaree later apologized for the comments, saying they were "misguided" and insisting that police forces will be able to do their jobs. Despite the controversy, Anandasangaree remains committed to the gun buyback program, saying that it is an important step in reducing gun crime.
Next Steps for the Gun Buyback Program
The federal government has not yet released official results from the pilot program, but Anandasangaree has stated that the government will be using the data collected to refine the program before rolling it out nationally. The minister has also said that the government will be working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the program is implemented effectively. As the program rolls out across Canada, it is likely to face continued opposition from some groups, but the government remains committed to its goal of reducing gun crime. With the program’s nationwide rollout imminent, it remains to be seen how effective it will be in achieving its goals, and how it will be received by Canadians.