After Nova Scotia Mass Shooting, Canada Bans Assault-Style Weapons

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that assault-style weapons will be banned in Canada effective immediately. 

Canadians are now prohibited to buy, sell, use, transport or import military-style weapons. Those who own weapons that are now banned will have a two-year amnesty period to surrender their weapons. 

The announcement comes less than two weeks after a gunman in Nova Scotia murdered 22 people in a series of shootings and arsons. The gunman reportedly got some of his assault weapons from the United States. 

“Their families deserve more than thoughts and prayers,” Trudeau said of the victims. “Canadians deserve more than thoughts and prayers.”

Because the gunman did not have a license and owned his weapons illegally, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer criticized Trudeau’s decision. 

“Taking firearms away from law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop dangerous criminals who obtain their guns illegally,” Scheer said. “The reality is, the vast majority of gun crimes are committed with illegally obtained firearms. Nothing the Trudeau Liberals announced today addresses this problem.”

Despite this, Liberals are working on passing more gun regulations such as “red flag” laws and instating a buyback program.  

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