Feds extend amnesty period for firearms ban pending Supreme Court ruling

Feds extend amnesty period for firearms ban pending Supreme Court ruling

Government says deadline to comply will kick in 90 days after top court's decision

The Liberal government is extending the amnesty period for gun owners to comply with its "assault-style" firearm ban pending a Supreme Court ruling on the policy.

The deadline had previously been extended multiple times since the ban was announced in 2020, with the latest date to comply set for October.

The government said in a news release on Tuesday afternoon that the amnesty period will now end within 90 days of the Supreme Court's ruling.

"By extending the amnesty period, the government is providing certainty to individual owners and businesses that they will continue to be protected from criminal liability while the Supreme Court hears the appeal and renders its decision," the release said.

The top court agreed in March to hear arguments against the Liberal government's controversial decision to outlaw what it dubs "assault-style" firearms.

The ban makes it illegal to own hundreds of makes and models, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14.

The original 2020 ban was challenged by firearm owners and the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) — the country's gun lobby — who argued the government lacked the authority to ban the guns via an order issued by the federal cabinet. They point to the Criminal Code which restricts cabinet from prohibiting firearms "if they are deemed reasonable for hunting or sporting purposes."

Their cases were dismissed by the Federal Court in 2023, with Justice Catherine Kane saying then prime minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet did not exceed their powers in passing the regulations.

The Federal Court of Appeal agreed with her decision in 2025, with the chief justice writing that "surely, the inherent danger that some firearms pose to public safety" and "the increasing demand for measures to address gun violence" are valid considerations "in determining whether their use is reasonable for hunting and sporting purposes."

The CCFR said it "welcomes the news" of the amnesty extension.

"We suspect that the government realized that a defeat at the Supreme Court of Canada after collecting guns and or prosecuting those in non-compliance would be an untenable position," the group said in an emailed statement.

"We look forward to presenting our case to Canada's Supreme Court and achieving justice for law-abiding property owners and businesses."

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of the ban next year.

While first introduced under Trudeau, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to follow through with the firearm ban and compensation program.

Gun buyback program misses target by nearly half

Even though the amnesty period is being extended, the government says the compensation and collection portion of the buyback program is still underway.

The declaration period for the buyback program for businesses ended last week, while the deadline for individuals to declare their firearms ended in March.

The government initially expected to collect 136,000 guns from individual owners, but only received declarations for about half that amount.

"While collection and compensation for individuals are underway, I would encourage firearm owners to book their appointments as soon as they get their notification. It is their only chance to get compensation for their prohibited firearms," Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in Tuesday's news release.

PolySeSouvient, the country's most vocal gun control advocacy group, said the extension is "disappointing."

"Highly lethal, prohibited weapons will remain in private hands for many more months," the group said in a news release.

"Legislation should not be suspended simply because it is challenged."

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's parliamentary bureau in Ottawa. He previously worked as a digital reporter for CBC Ottawa and a producer for CBC's Power & Politics. He holds a master's degree in journalism and a bachelor's degree in public affairs and policy management, both from Carleton University. He also holds a master's degree in arts from Queen's University. He can be reached at darren.major@cbc.ca.

With files from Catharine Tunney