Ottawa ‘cautiously optimistic’ as gun buyback program deadline approaches

Ottawa is still significantly shy of the number of firearm buybacks as a key deadline approaches.

The federal government says just over 51,000 firearms have been reported so far.

That’s far below the 136,000 it budgeted to collect before the March 31 deadline.

The Public Safety Minister said he is “cautiously optimistic” leading up to the program deadline, which offers compensation for turning in or permanently deactivating their guns.

The program is part of a broader effort that has outlawed roughly 2,500 types of firearms.

Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed about 2,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14, on the basis they belong only on the battlefield.

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Those prohibited weapons and devices must be either disposed of or permanently deactivated by the end of October.

In October 2023, a Federal Court judge dismissed a request to strike down the firearm ban as unlawful and beyond the scope of the powers delegated to the federal cabinet.

A not-for-profit advocacy organization, firearm owners, businesses, hunters and recreational and sport shooters appealed the ruling.

In April 2025, the Federal Court of Appeal rejected that challenge, saying the Federal Court delivered “thorough and persuasive” reasons.

The Supreme Court of Canada agreed last week to hear an appeal of the latest ruling — a process that could take well over a year.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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