
The federal Liberal Party's gun ban is being panned on several fronts.
Friday, Justin Trudeau announced an immediate ban on some 1,500 'assault-style' weapons.
The ban doesn't forbid owning any of the weapons listed and their variants, but it does forbid them from being used, transported and halts the trade of them. It moves the classification of the firearms, previously non-restricted or restricted class, to “prohibited.”
There has been talk of the ban for some time, and it may have actually boosted sales of such weapons.
The owner of a North Okanagan gun store, who asked only his first name be used, said the weeks leading up to the ban were some of the busiest he has ever seen.
“We have done record sales because of this,” said Aron. “People are buying more guns than ever before. I have done a year's worth of sales in one month.”
And the phone has been ringing off the hook with gun owners wondering how the ban will affect them.
“I'm getting a million calls right now about what guns are banned, and what aren't,” said Aron.
The term "assault-style" has no legal definition in Canada, which has contributed to confusion among gun owners for what is and isn't being banned.
Social media is also buzzing about the ban, with some criticizing Trudeau for disarming citizens with an order-in-council and without debate in the House of Commons. The Angus Reid Institute, however, published a poll Friday that showed four-in-five Canadians support the ban.
Conservative Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas said the move will likely have no impact on crimes involving guns.
Albas stressed public safety is a paramount concern for him and the Conservative Party, but he questions just how effective the ban will be in protecting the public.
“I would point that every MP wants to end gun violence. A key plank to do so was missing from this morning's announcement as it had no detailed plan to stop illegal gun smuggling into Canada,” said Albas. “It does not address public safety concerns. It will not stop a gang member from smuggling a restricted or prohibited weapon from the United States.”
Albas asked if the Trudeau government is concerned about an immediate safety risk to the public, why is there a two-year amnesty?
He also questioned the timing of the ban, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and without debate in Parliament.
“The need for targeted enforcement against criminals who smuggle guns into Canada would have been raised if this was before Parliament. Bills come before Parliament not just for debate, but for committee study where experts and stakeholders can be heard. Ultimately amendments can be made and legislation improved. It is greatly disappointing the Trudeau Liberals have denied Parliament much-needed democratic scrutiny.”
The multi-term MP pointed out Trudeau's actions Friday contradicted comments he made in May 2018 where a Canadian Press story quoted the Prime Minister as saying police not politicians should put restrictions on firearms.
Albas has also heard from numerous constituents who have concerns about the ban.
A full list of the weapons banned has been published in the government's Canada Gazette, although the page has been down for much of the morning.