More than 7,000 banned firearms have been declared in Alberta under the federal government’s gun buyback program, but owners are currently unable to receive compensation due to a jurisdictional standoff between the province and Ottawa.
- Declarations: Over 7,000 prohibited firearms have been declared by Albertans.
- Critical Deadline: Prohibited guns must be disposed of or deactivated by October to avoid potential criminal liability.
- Provincial Stance: Alberta has directed provincial entities and law enforcement to decline the program’s implementation.
The dispute has left firearms owners frustrated and facing financial losses. James Bachynsky, president of the Calgary Shooting Centre, stated that the government offered $67,700 for his firearms, a figure lower than the roughly $80,000 he believes they are worth.
Because of the ongoing conflict between the two levels of government, Bachynsky and others are unable to collect the offered payments.
Alberta Gun Buyback Program Deadlock
Public Safety Canada asserts that provincial laws implemented by the Alberta government are preventing residents from receiving their compensation. In a statement, the federal agency encouraged Alberta to provide residents the option to seek payment for prohibited firearms.
The Alberta government maintains that it is Ottawa’s responsibility to manage its own program. Heather Jenkins, press secretary to Justice Minister Mickey Amery, stated that the federal government has provided no information regarding plans for the mobile collection of firearms or how it intends to respond to declarations.
Furthermore, Alberta requires anyone participating in the delivery of the program to be licensed as a seizure agent. Jenkins noted that the Alberta Chief Firearms Office has received no such applications from federal employees or other parties, warning that those unlicensed could be arrested.
Deadlines and Legal Risks
Under the federal program, approximately 2,500 “assault-style” firearms were banned. While the deadline to declare eligible firearms was March 31, a strict October deadline remains for the disposal or deactivation of these weapons.
Public Safety Canada warned that owners who fail to deactivate or dispose of prohibited guns by October could risk criminal liability for illegal possession, regardless of whether they sought compensation.
Noah Schwartz, an assistant professor in political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, described the situation as “uncharted waters.” He noted that advocacy groups have encouraged gun owners to resist participation while awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court of Canada, which has agreed to hear arguments against the ban.
Provincial and Advocacy Responses
The gun control advocacy group PolySeSouvient criticized the Alberta government’s approach, arguing that Premier Danielle Smith is using gun owners as “pawns in the province’s jurisdictional games.” The group stated that blocking the federal ban deprives law-abiding owners of money and undermines public safety goals.
While Quebec supports the federal plan, Alberta and Saskatchewan have both passed legislation aimed at hindering the program’s implementation.
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