Why lots of people are up in arms about the federal gun buyback program
Sat Feb 07 2026
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Nearly six years ago, the Trudeau government banned more than 2,000 makes and models of assault-style firearms, including the notorious AR-15.
The legislative change raised the obvious question: If a person purchased one of those guns back when they were legal, what are they supposed to do with it now?
The answer took years to materialize, but the promised federal buyback program is now live. Gun owners have until March 31 to declare their interest in receiving compensation in exchange for their firearms — and by the end of the year, it will be a Criminal Code offence to own any of the listed models.
It’s a controversial initiative, to say the least, with many critics adamant that the buyback won’t do a thing to actually lower gun crime in this country, which is fuelled largely by illegal weapons smuggled into Canada from the United States. Some provinces — and many Ontario police forces — are refusing to even participate in the program.
Our guest on tonight’s episode of Closer Look is a man who spends more time than most researching gun laws: Noah Schwartz, a professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, and author of the book Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy and Gun Control in Canada.
Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.
Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.
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Send us a text Nearly six years ago, the Trudeau government banned more than 2,000 makes and models of assault-style firearms, including the notorious AR-15. The legislative change raised the obvious question: If a person purchased one of those guns back when they were legal, what are they supposed to do with it now? The answer took years to materialize, but the promised federal buyback program is now live. Gun owners have until March 31 to declare their interest in receiving compensation in exchange for their firearms — and by the end of the year, it will be a Criminal Code offence to own any of the listed models. It’s a controversial initiative, to say the least, with many critics adamant that the buyback won’t do a thing to actually lower gun crime in this country, which is fuelled largely by illegal weapons smuggled into Canada from the United States. Some provinces — and many Ontario police forces — are refusing to even participate in the program. Our guest on tonight’s episode of Closer Look is a man who spends more time than most researching gun laws: Noah Schwartz, a professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, and author of the book Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy and Gun Control in Canada. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers. Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.