Alberta plans to resist federal efforts to seize prohibited weapons: Shandro

CALGARY – The Alberta government is taking action to oppose federal gun ban legislation and the potential seizure of thousands of assault weapons.

As of May 2020, Ottawa has banned the use or sale of more than 1,500 different models of assault firearms in Canada.

He is committed to establishing a buy-back program to get these firearms out of communities.

Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro said he received a letter from the federal Minister of Public Safety requesting police resources to begin confiscating firearms starting this fall.

Shandro said the federal government was « sowing fear » by labeling the guns « assault style, » which Shandro called a move aimed at scaring off Canadians unfamiliar with firearms.

Shandro told a press conference on Monday that many of the weapons did not pose any unusual danger or possess any additional mechanical capabilities.

“This is a politically motivated confiscation, plain and simple,” he said. « And so I responded to (Public Safety) Minister (Marco) Mendicino saying no. Alberta will not assist the federal government in this or any federal effort to strip legally obtained personal property. of our residents.

Shandro said Alberta would not accept RCMP officers acting as « forfeiture officers » and would protest such a move under the provincial-federal agreement that governs policing.

« Despite this measure, the federal government can still order the RCMP to serve as forfeiture agent, » Shandro said. « To prevent this from happening, Alberta will formally challenge any attempt to do so by invoking Article 23 of this agreement. »

Alberta also plans to seek intervener status in six pending judicial review applications challenging the constitutionality of the legislation.

Mendicino’s office said in an email that the buyback program would ensure deadly firearms are taken off the streets.

« It’s very disappointing that Alberta released its statement before seeing the full plan, » said publicist Audrey Champoux.

Shandro’s position is supported by Alberta’s chief firearms officer.

« I have already expressed strong opposition to the federal government’s plans to ban and confiscate some 30,000 firearms lawfully acquired from Albertans, » said Teri Bryant.

“The planned forfeitures represent a fatal approach to reducing violence in Canadian society and constitute unwarranted and unacceptable attacks on the property rights and individual freedoms of Albertans.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on September 26, 2022.

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