OTTAWA — Gun owners have reported more than 51,000 firearms to the federal government with one week left to go in a program to provide compensation for banned guns, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Monday.
The figure is well short of the 136,000 firearms for which the government set aside money when the buyback program for individual owners opened in January.
Anandasangaree said he is “cautiously optimistic” leading up to the March 31 deadline for the program, which offers owners compensation for turning in or permanently deactivating their guns.
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.
Prohibited firearms and devices must be disposed of — or deactivated — by the end of an amnesty period on Oct. 30.
The ban and the federal compensation program have garnered applause from gun control advocates. Conservative MPs and some firearm owners say the buyback is a wasteful exercise that targets law-abiding citizens.
The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights says the number of guns eligible for compensation is much higher than the federal government suggests.
Anandasangaree said earlier this year the government stands by its figure of 136,000 and that “a range of misinformation” has come from the gun lobby.
Shooting survivor Nathalie Provost, the federal secretary of state for nature, appeared alongside Anandasangaree on Monday to try to dispel suggestions the government is outlawing rifles commonly used to hunt ducks and kill gophers.
“We are fighting against assault-style weapons, and it’s important that the real message is heard,” she said.
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.
Anandasangaree said Monday the government looks forward to vigorously arguing its case. “We’re very confident that we’ll be able to defend our position at the highest court.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2026.
Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
