Firearms "Buyback" Begins With Deal To Purchase Banned Guns From Businesses

Zac Kurylyk in Guns, Politics on April 26, 2023

After nearly three years of various failed maneuvers, the Canadian federal government says it is readying to enact the first firearms seizures planned under the May, 2020 Order in Council. However, the government will not start by confiscating firearms from everyday gun owners, as was the original plan. Instead, the so-called "buyback" is slated to begin with the feds purchasing inventory from firearms businesses, inventory rendered unsaleable due to the Order in Council.

This news came as part of an April 26 update from Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino. Mendocino said under the plan, the federal government would pay businesses for firearms that that fall under the Order in Council ban. Those firearms have not been able to be legally sold for three years now; supposedly, this would affect 11,000 firearms held by Canadian businesses, according to the feds (that number is unconfirmed).

In his announcement, Mendocino said the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA) would help with the transfer process. The CSAAA represents firearms manufacturers, retailers and other companies involved in the firearms industry in Canada.

This created considerable fuss among gun owners on social media, as some viewed it as cooperation with the federal governments' seizures. Other gun owners pointed out that sitting on unsold inventory has been costing firearms retailers a lot of money for the past three years, and the CSAAA is not going to be seizing any individual's firearms.

Here's what the CSAAA itself said about the situation, on Twitter (follow the whole thread to see its reasoning):

The CSAAA will only be collecting data on inventory levels and values of that inventory from dealers/distributors that wish to provide this information. If a dealer/distributor is not sure how to determine the value of their inventory we will assist with that as well.
— Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (@csaaaofficial) April 26, 2023

Basically, the CSAAA is acting as a middleman between businesses and the government, to help arrange payment.

CSAAA is representing the interests of all licensed businesses with the Federal Buyback program for the 2020 OIC prohibited firearms. Our goal is to help negotiate fair compensation and a simple process for businesses struggling through this challenging regulatory environment. pic.twitter.com/4pNAfvPBjF
— Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (@csaaaofficial) April 26, 2023

Note this quote in particular: "The CSAAA remains skeptical as to the viability of this industry buyback program; due to positive changes in provincial legislation, the absence of Federal budgetary allocation, and lacking a concrete process of implementation."

The CSAAA has a point. Even if Ottawa wants to force retailers and distributors to sell, the feds must now contend with legislation in Alberta and Saskatchewan that requires them to use provincially licenced staff to do so... and those provinces appear unlikely to issue such licences any time soon.

So. It's a lot of talk from Mendocino again, but still, still, nobody's firearms, not even retailers, have been "bought back" or otherwise seized yet. In many cases, it remains difficult to see that can be effected quickly, still.