Canada bans new handgun sales in latest gun control action

Oct 21 (Reuters) – Regulations banning the sale, purchase or transfer of handguns in Canada come into effect on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding the measure builds on previous efforts banning imports of handguns.

The handgun freeze was announced in May alongside a bill that would implement the nation’s toughest gun control measures in 40 years as part of Trudeau’s plan to tackle gun violence , said his office.

“We’ve frozen the handgun market in this country,” Trudeau said at a press conference in Surrey, B.C., attended by family members of gun violence victims and other defenders.

“As we see gun violence continue to escalate…we have an obligation to act,” Trudeau added. “Today our national handgun freeze goes into effect.”

Friday’s action prevents people from buying, selling or transferring handguns in Canada and prevents them from bringing newly acquired handguns into the country, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called it the most significant action against gun violence in Canada in a generation.

Canada has stricter gun laws than the United States, but Canadians can own guns with a license. Certain firearms must also be registered.

The firearm homicide rate in Canada is a fraction of the rate in the United States, Data from 2020 showedbut remains higher than in other wealthy countries and has increased, with handguns being the main weapon used in the majority of violent gun-related crimes between 2009 and 2020.

Trudeau’s ruling Liberal government introduced Bill C-21 to address gun violence, and his office said Friday’s action will help “keep Canadians safe” as the legislation debates. In August, he banned imports until the law passes.

“We need to get this law passed as quickly as possible,” Mendicino said, speaking alongside Trudeau.

As part of the executive action, all handgun applications submitted before Friday will still be processed, Trudeau’s office said.

Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Josie Kao

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