Repeal Bill C-21
Petitioners ask the Government to repeal the Act known as Bill C-21, cancel the firearm confiscation scheme, pass laws to stop firearm smuggling and target illegal users, and apologize to and compensate legal firearm owners. The government responds that it is strengthening firearms controls, targeting smuggling and trafficking, prohibiting assault-style firearms and implementing compensation measures.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would prevent planned confiscation of rifles and shotguns from lawful hunters and sport shooters, preserving recreational use and property rights.
- Shifting focus to stopping smuggling and targeting illegal users prioritizes enforcement against the illicit supply the petitioners say fuels violent crime.
- An apology and compensation program would acknowledge losses and reduce hardship for lawful owners affected by prohibitions or confiscation.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Repealing C-21 and canceling prohibitions could remove measures intended to reduce access to assault-style firearms and may weaken public-safety protections the government cites.
- Smuggling is hard to eliminate; relying mainly on interdiction may not prevent new or existing prohibited firearms from causing harm without parallel restrictions.
- Apologies and compensation could be costly and complex to deliver, and cancelling confiscation may leave prohibited weapons in circulation, prolonging public-safety risks.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following: Whereas The Liberal government is trying to ban and confiscate the rifles and shotguns of millions of law-abiding Canadians, including hunters and sport shooters; Canada already has a sensible and comprehensive regime controlling firearm ownership; Legal firearm owners are strong advocates for firearm safety and for measures that will actually prevent firearm-related violence; The vast majority of firearms used in violent crimes are obtained illegally, including by being smuggled across Canada's borders; and Criminals who have illegally obtained firearms are not affected by this confiscation scheme. Therefore, we the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call on the Government of Canada to: 1. Immediately repeal the Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms) formerly known as Bill C- 21, and all relevant orders-in-council, regulations, or other laws, concerning the prohibition and confiscation of firearms; 2. Cancel the gun confiscation scheme and instead pass legislation to stop the smuggling of firearms into Canada and that will target criminals who obtain and use illegal firearms; and 3. Apologize to legal firearms owners in Canada and compensate them for the loss of use and enjoy of their firearms.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Public Safety Signed by JACQUES RAMSAY, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY Canadians deserve to be safe in their communities. That is why the Government of Canada is taking a comprehensive approach to strengthen firearms control and address firearm-related violence. This includes amendments through former Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), to increase maximum criminal penalties for firearms trafficking and smuggling, enhance investigative authorities, address ghost guns and reduce risks associated with firearms violence in situations of intimate partner, gender-based and family violence. And, since 2016, the Government of Canada has invested over $1.4 billion in targeted initiatives, including over $560 million to equip the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Border Services Agency with advanced tools to detect smuggled firearms and firearms parts and funding to help communities prevent gun and gang violence through prevention programming. This comprehensive approach also includes addressing assault-style firearms used in the worst tragedies in our country’s history. To do so, former Bill-C21 prohibited firearms designed and manufactured on or after December 15, 2023, and that meet specific technical criteria (i.e., a firearm that: is not a handgun, discharges centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner, and was originally designed with a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity of six cartridges or more). This ensures that new firearms that exceed safe civilian use are not introduced into our communities. In addition, over 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms previously in the Canadian market have been prohibited since May 2020. An amnesty period is in place to protect affected firearms owners while they take steps to comply with the law. To ease the impact on law-abiding Canadians, the Government is committed to implementing the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. This will help ensure that these prohibited firearms are safely and securely removed from our communities, and that those who participate are compensated for their contribution to public safety. With these initiatives, the Government continues to take concrete steps to make Canada less vulnerable to firearms violence while being fair to responsible firearms owners and businesses.