Surinder Mavi
Winnipeg, December 7
Canada’s Trudeau government has announced a ban on 324 types of guns, taking a tough stance on weapons. Banned assault-style rifles are also included in the federal government’s ban. These weapons are now prohibited from being possessed, sold or imported into Canada. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the purpose of banning these weapons is to ensure that every community and every family in Canada remains safe.
He said that Canadian citizens have been given an exemption to hand over their weapons to the government till October 30 next year and the cost of these weapons will also be paid by the government. However, legal action will be taken against those possessing such weapons after the expiry of the period.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Bill Blair said that some assault rifles received by the government will be sent to Ukraine.
He said the ban is part of the Government of Canada’s broader approach to combating armed violence in Canada.
On the other hand, the Conservative Party has criticized the new restrictions imposed by the government. Public safety affairs critic Raquel Dancho alleged that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is being soft on criminals and bullying law-abiding Canadians.