The Brantford Police Service has announced its decision not to participate in the federal government’s gun buyback program, specifically in the collection of assault-style firearms from the public. In a statement released on Monday, the service emphasized that they will not be offering firearm collection or storage appointments as part of the initiative, citing that local police services are not mandated to participate in the program.
Instead, Brantford police will maintain their focus on frontline policing activities, which include emergency response, criminal investigations, crime prevention, and victim support services. These priorities are crucial for ensuring community safety and effective law enforcement in the City of Brantford.
While the Brantford Police Service has opted out of the program, other police services in Hamilton, Niagara, and Halton Region have yet to confirm their participation in the initiative when approached by CBC Hamilton.
The Assault-Style Firearm Compensation Program, launched by Ottawa in response to the banning of approximately 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms since 2020, aims to compensate individuals who register and surrender their prohibited firearms. These firearms are deemed unsuitable for hunting or sport shooting, designed primarily for warfare purposes. Notable examples of assault-style rifles include the AR-57, XM-15, and the AR-15, which are distinct from assault rifles such as the M-16s, AK-47s, and C7s used by Canadian soldiers and prohibited in Canada.
In the United States, the AR-15 has been linked to several mass shootings, including incidents in Uvalde, Texas; Parkland, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Canadians who wish to participate in the buyback program have until March 31 to declare their interest and receive compensation. Failure to comply before the deadline will result in the possession of such firearms remaining illegal without compensation.
To declare their firearms, gun owners can utilize the program’s online portal or submit declarations by mail. Compensation payments for surrendered firearms will be issued within 45 business days following successful validation of the outlawed firearms. The program is allocated a budget of $248.6 million to cover approximately 136,000 banned firearms, with compensation being granted on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the submission date and fund availability at that time.
Opposition to the program has been voiced by some gun owners and the Conservative Party of Canada, arguing that the policy unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners without enhancing Canada’s safety. The governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Yukon have also expressed disapproval of the program, with Yukon Justice Minister Laura Lang highlighting the cultural significance of assault-style firearms in remote areas for protection against wildlife threats such as bears.
Conversely, anti-gun advocates view the buyback program as a crucial step in removing assault firearms from circulation. Ken Price, a representative of Danforth Families for Safe Communities in Toronto, supports the initiative and believes that police should assist gun owners in complying with the law. Price’s organization was established following a mass shooting on the Danforth in 2018, with his daughter being a survivor of the incident.
While the federal government continues to promote the buyback program, discussions and debates surrounding its effectiveness and impact on public safety persist among various stakeholders and communities.