Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, left, speaks during a press conference on the federal firearm compensation program in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, as Quebec Minister of Public Security Ian Lafreniere, centre, and Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) look on. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

By The Canadian Press

Gun buyback tally of over 67,000 firearms falls well short of federal estimate

Apr 1, 2026 | 10:52 AM

OTTAWA — Public Safety Canada says gun owners reported more than 67,000 banned firearms to the federal government as a first step toward receiving compensation in a buyback program.

The tally is less than half of the 136,000 firearms for which the Liberal government set aside compensation money when the program for individual owners opened in mid-January.

Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed about 2,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14, on the basis they belong only on the battlefield.

Prohibited firearms and devices must be disposed of or deactivated by the end of an amnesty period on Oct. 30, regardless of whether gun owners take part in the compensation program.

Public Safety says owners who do not comply could face criminal sanctions and the loss of their firearm possession and acquisition licence.

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The government is expected to soon reopen the buyback effort to businesses after more than 12,000 guns were collected in an initial phase.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2026.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press