The deadline to declare a firearm in the federal assault weapon buyback program has passed; the next phase is set to begin.
Waterloo Regional Police Service, after initially balking at the idea, did sign on to participate in the facilitation of the program. Police Chief Mark Crowell stopped by The Mike Farwell Show and provided an update on the first phase that expired on March 31.
“We have really looked at this through the lens of, how do we provide a service to our community, in partnership with Public Safety Canada, that allows those lawful, responsible gunowners to participate in the program to receive compensation but in a way that is controlled, predictable and safe.”
Crowell mentioned upwards of 800 firearms were registered with them. He said the buyback initiative supports their organizational goals.
“Our number one priority of violent crime and holding violent offenders accountable, reducing firearms and other forms of violence. And that will remain our top priority. But this participation allows us some additional resources to supplement our current workforce with a small number of people who can facilitate the program.”
The next phase will examine the declarations to see which ones qualify for the buyback program. According to Public Safety Canada, over 67,000 firearms were registered.
There is a second deadline that gun owners need to be aware of: Oct.30, 2026. That’s when the illegal firearms amnesty period ends. After that, those in possession of a banned firearm could face criminal charges.
Crowell said there is uncertainty around what will happen after that date.
“We do have some concerns about what that future landscape could be when the amnesty is lifted and that prohibited status exists. And then, how will we as community, as a province and as a country, work with those people who have prohibited status weapons in their possession.”
In May 2020, Ottawa outlawed about 2,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14, saying their purpose was for the battlefield.