Canada introduces regulation to freeze handgun sales, ban look-alike toys

OTTAWA, Could 30 (Reuters) - Canada's authorities launched legislation Monday to implement a "nationwide freeze" on the sale and purchase of handguns as a part of a gun management package deal that might additionally restrict magazine capacities and ban some toys that appear like weapons.

The brand new legislation, which resurrects some measures that have been shelved last 12 months amid a national election, comes only a week after a gunman killed 19 kids and two teachers in their classroom in Uvalde, Texas.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed reporters the new measures were needed as gun violence was increasing.

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"We'd like solely look south of the border to know that if we do not take action firmly and quickly it gets worse and worse and gets harder to counter," he stated.

The handgun freeze would contain exceptions, together with for elite sport shooters, Olympic athletes and safety guards. Canadians who already own handguns could be allowed to maintain them.

Authorities do not expect a run on handguns in anticipation of the freeze, partly because they are so heavily regulated already, an official mentioned in a briefing.

Canada has stronger gun laws than the US but whereas its gun homicide rate is lower than one-fifth the U.S. rate it is greater than that of other wealthy countries and has been rising. In 2020 it was 5 instances Australia's fee.

The speed in each of 2020 and 2017 was the nation's highest since at least 1997, in keeping with Statistics Canada.

Canada banned the sale and use of some 1,500 models of assault weapons, just like the AR-15 rifle, two years in the past within the wake of a mass shooting in Portapique, Nova Scotia - a transfer some firearms owners say they're contesting in court. Talking alongside Trudeau, Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino confirmed the "imminent launch of the initial section" of a program to purchase again and compensate house owners of such weapons.

Whereas the Liberals have a minority of seats in Parliament, the laws might pass with the assist of the left-leaning New Democratic Get together.

The deliberate laws would forestall anyone subject to a protection order or who has engaged in domestic violence or stalking from acquiring or maintaining a firearms license.

It will also require long-gun magazines to be completely altered to allow them to never maintain more than five rounds and can ban the sale and transfer of large-capacity magazines.

The new legal guidelines would also ban some toys that appear to be real guns, resembling airsoft rifles. Last week Toronto police shot and killed a person carrying a pellet gun. learn more

"As a result of they look the same as real firearms, police must treat them as if they're real. This has led to tragic consequences," Justice Minister David Lametti informed reporters.

Tom Stamatakis, president of the Canadian Police Affiliation, welcomed among the moves, such as the "purple flag" provisions in the case of home violence, and stated he would love more info on enforcement and resources for measures such as the handgun freeze.

He fully supported a crackdown on fake weapons, which he stated were a "massive challenge."

"You can not distinguish between what's a duplicate firearm and what's a real firearm, notably when these incidences involving duplicate firearms happen typically in very dynamic, rapidly evolving circumstances."

Rod Giltaca, the top of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, said the handgun freeze was "absurd."

He stated authorities weren't utilizing the tools they already needed to tackle gun violence, equivalent to calling folks listed as references on gun license functions.

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Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa and Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto, Modifying by Rosalba O'Brien and Richard Pullin

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