Photo: Castanets staff
Dan Schemley
The federal government has unveiled its plan to buy back already-banned guns and now wants to hear from Canadians before August 28.
“Public Safety Canada is seeking feedback on proposed compensation amounts for individual firearm owners,” the feds said in a news release.
Ottawa says the proposed price list for individual firearms is based on market prices and compensation amounts will be finalized in the coming months.
Prohibited firearms represent more than 1,500 models and variants of firearms, which are categorized into 11 categories of firearms:
- AR Platform firearms such as the M16, AR-10, and AR-15 rifles and the M4 carbine: $1,337
- Beretta Cx4 Storm: $1,317
- CZ Scorpion EVO 3 Carbine and CZ Scorpion EVO 3 Pistol: $1,291
- M14 rifle: $2,612
- Robinson Armament XCR Rifle: $2,735
- Ruger Mini-14 Rifle: $1,407
- SG-550 Rifle and SG-551 Carbine: $6,209
- SIG Sauer MCX, MPX forearms like the SIG Sauer SIG MPX carbine and the SIG Sauer SIG MPX pistol: $2,369
- Vz58 Rifle: $1139
- Firearms with a bore diameter of 20 mm or greater – other than intended exclusively for the purpose of defusing explosive devices: $2,684
- Firearms capable of discharging a projectile with a muzzle energy greater than 10,000 joules: $2819
Dan Shemley, secretary of the Joe Rich Sportsmen’s Association and manager at Great North Precision, says responsible gun owners like himself find the price list a bit confusing.
He says the feds seem willing to overpay for certain models while dramatically underpaying for others.
“Some people are about to get a good deal,” Schemley said, using the example of a Norinco CQA semi-automatic rifle he paid $600 for in 2017, for which Ottawa is now offering about $1,300.
“Which is fine with my bank balance right now, but it leaves me scratching my head as to how this is a proper program. There is no mention of condition percentages or special accessories that are designed for the specific weapons – spare magazines are a perfect example, without the rifle there is no point in keeping magazines,” Schemley said.
At the other end of the spectrum, owners of a long-range 50BMG rifle that can cost well over $10,000 are being offered just $2,800.
The federal government says the buyback price list is based on what Canadians might have paid to buy those guns before the policy change after the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia.
Between now and August 28, the federal government is seeking input from firearms owners, businesses and the gun industry on proposed compensation amounts. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says the goal is to get firearms out of Canadian communities while fairly compensating current owners.
After the consultation period ends, the government says known firearm owners will be approached about the buyback. The Liberals have already introduced an amnesty period until October 20, 2023, allowing legal owners of these banned firearms to be protected from criminal liability while they take the necessary steps to comply.
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