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Canada will implement a temporary ban on the importation of handguns

67% of Canadians support a total ban on the civilian possession of handguns.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino announced this morning that the federal government will implement a temporary ban on the importation of handguns into Canada. The ban is part of a regulatory measure that is due to come into effect in two weeks, and will become permanent once gun control legislation, which was tabled in May, is passed in Parliament.

A study by the Angus Reid Institute on gun control in Canada has found that two-thirds of Canadians (66%) would prefer a federal policy to ban handguns, rather than leave decisions on the matter to the provinces.

A previous Angus Reid poll in April 2020 found that 67% of Canadians are in favour of a total ban on the civilian possession of handguns in Canada. Just 19% of Americans are in favour of the same in the United States.

“While the Liberal government has mandated the assault weapon ban nationwide, it has taken a different approach to handguns. In December, the federal government announced a $1-billion fund to assist provinces if those jurisdictions wanted to ban handguns.

“Two-thirds of Canadians are opposed to the federal government’s current position of leaving it to the provinces — which some have criticized because they believe it will result in an ineffective ‘patchwork’ of rules and regulations. One-quarter (23%) disagree and believe provinces should have the flexibility to decide their own laws.”

—Angus Reid Institute
Canada needs to implement a federal ban on handguns

Last year, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante called on all federal parties in Canada to implement a ban on handguns.

This article was originally published on May 17 and updated on Aug. 5, 2022.


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