Canada Reopens the Debate on Gun Rules and Firearms Classification
So, there’s a lot happening right now in Canada when it comes to gun laws, and the federal government has kicked off another major review—one that’s been talked about for years but is finally moving forward. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced that Ottawa will begin a thorough review of the country’s firearms classification system, something that had been recommended more than two years ago by the Mass Casualty Commission after the devastating 2020 Nova Scotia shooting.
What’s interesting is that this review isn’t just about updating a list of what’s legal or prohibited. It’s actually meant to take a much broader look at how firearms, ammunition and magazines are categorized in the first place. The goal, according to the minister, is to simplify things, make the rules more consistent, and figure out whether certain firearms—especially the widely used SKS rifle—should be reclassified. That rifle has sparked a huge debate because it’s commonly used in Indigenous communities for hunting but has also been connected to several police-involved killings and other violent incidents. Gun-control advocates have been vocal about banning it, while also suggesting that Indigenous hunters should receive exemptions, since many rely on the SKS for food harvesting.
Also Read:At the same time, there’s another major piece of the story: the long-delayed firearm marking regulations. These rules were supposed to help police trace guns used in crimes by requiring new firearms to be labeled with clear identifiers. They’ve been postponed again—this time pushed to December 2027. The government says it simply isn’t the right moment to enforce them because their attention is on launching the national gun buyback program, which targets thousands of newly prohibited models. A pilot version of that buyback was tested in Cape Breton, and officials say the system “works,” though no numbers have been released on how many guns were actually surrendered.
The delay has raised eyebrows because these marking rules were first proposed more than 20 years ago and have been deferred over and over again. Law-enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, have said that better firearm tracing is essential for understanding how guns end up in the illegal market. And while most manufacturers already include serial numbers as a best practice, there’s still no legal requirement in Canada to do so.
So now, Canada is heading into another round of public consultations, debates and likely some political friction as the country tries to balance public safety, community traditions, international commitments and the realities of gun ownership. It’s a complicated conversation, and this latest review is set to bring all of it right back to the forefront.
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