Stop bans on hunting firearms
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to stop any current and future bans on hunting and sport‑shooting firearms. The government responds that it is strengthening firearms controls, prohibiting some assault‑style firearms, and offering amnesty and compensation.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would protect hunters, sport shooters and farmers from bans petitioners say target legal firearms and Canadian traditions.
- It prevents confiscation of hunting and sport‑shooting firearms, preserving lawful ownership, recreational use and livelihoods.
- It avoids regulatory changes that petitioners argue do not reduce crime but disrupt rural and sporting communities.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Stopping bans could hinder efforts to reduce firearms violence and public risk, which many see as a core public‑safety goal.
- The government cites bans on assault‑style models plus amnesty and compensation; critics may prefer these targeted measures rather than blocking all restrictions.
- Prohibiting the ability to ban in future may limit policymakers from responding to new threats, technologies or evidence of harm.
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 HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: WHEREAS: The Carney government is pursuing the ban and seizure of the hunting rifles and shotguns of millions of Canadians; The targeting of farmers and hunters does not fight crime; and The Carney government is failing those who participate in the Canadian traditions of hunting and sport-shooting. THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, call upon the House of Commons to: Stop any and all current and future bans on hunting and sport-shooting 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. 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 C-21 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 are unsafe for 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 owners who were in lawful possession of those firearms on the day they were prohibited and who continue to hold a valid firearms licence 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 have the opportunity to be 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.