Kelly Pierce enjoys using her Plainfield Machine M1 Carbine firearm for recreational target practice at the range in Yellowknife. However, this specific firearm is among those prohibited in Canada and included in the federal gun buyback initiative. Owners like Pierce must dispose of or deactivate their assault-style firearms by October 30 to avoid potential criminal repercussions for possessing a banned weapon illegally.
In the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.), the territorial government has stated that it will not oversee the federal buyback program, leaving firearm owners, including Pierce, with uncertainty about the next steps. The N.W.T. government’s announcement indicated that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in the region will not participate in the program.
Logistical challenges, such as the lack of local service providers in the N.W.T., have led Public Safety Canada to allow firearm owners to utilize mailed return kits for the buyback program. While alternative collection options tailored to northern communities are mentioned, specific details have not been provided.
Pierce expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding how she can return her firearm via mail. Meanwhile, Jonathan Rocheleau, the president of the Yellowknife Shooting Club, highlighted the existing difficulties in returning firearms in the N.W.T., emphasizing the importance of easy disposal to prevent potential dangers associated with improperly deactivated firearms.
Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina criticized the federal program for imposing additional restrictions on community members during the recent Dene National Assembly of First Nations. The N.W.T. government emphasized the need for clear communication between the federal government and Indigenous governments in the region regarding the buyback program.
CBC News attempted to contact relevant parties for further information but did not receive responses before publication. N.W.T. MP Rebecca Alty’s office clarified that the buyback program aims to remove assault-style firearms that pose significant risks in communities without restricting hunting or sport shooting activities.