Starting today, a temporary ban on the importation of restricted handguns is in effect.

The move was announced earlier this month and means that permits for import-restricted handguns into Canada will no longer be issued to individuals or businesses, subject to narrow exceptions that mirror those in Bill C-21.

The measure is part of a firearms-control package that would allow for the removal of gun licences from people committing domestic violence or engaged in criminal harassment. It would also increase the maximum penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking to 14 years from 10.

The temporary ban today will remain in place until a permanent freeze is passed in Parliament and is implemented.

The government says the number of registered handguns in Canada increased by 71 per cent between 2010 and 2020, reaching around 1.1 million.

In Budget 2021, the federal government provided more than $312 million in new funding to increase firearms tracing capacity and implement stronger border control measures to fight gun smuggling and trafficking.

“My top priority as minister of public safety is keeping Canadians safe. This temporary ban is further proof that we are using all the tools at our disposal to fight gun crime. It is a key pillar of our plan to address it, along with investments in prevention, action at our borders, a ban on assault-style weapons and Bill C‑21: Canada’s most significant action on gun violence in a generation,” said Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino, in a statement.