Federal firearm buyback program to open Monday with March 31 registration deadline

The federal buyback declaration period for owners of banned firearms begins Monday and runs through March 31, and officials say roughly $250 million has been set aside to compensate participants.

The federal government has opened a declaration period for its firearm buyback program, which begins Monday and runs through March 31. Ottawa outlawed about 2,500 types of firearms in May 2020, including the AR-15. Officials say individuals who declare interest can be compensated for turning in or permanently deactivating banned firearms. The government set aside roughly $250 million for compensation and has budgeted more than $742 million for the program overall. Key details: - The declaration period for individuals runs Monday through March 31. - Firearm licence holders will be notified of the declaration period and how to take part. - Officials said almost $250 million has been earmarked to compensate participants, and the government anticipates that amount could cover about 136,000 firearms; the overall program budget since 2020 exceeds $742 million. - Approved declarations will lead to invitations in the spring to finalize claims and schedule appointments to turn in firearms to the RCMP, local police or a mobile collection unit. - Prohibited firearms and devices must be disposed of or permanently deactivated by the end of an amnesty period on Oct. 30, and possession after that date is reported to be illegal and subject to prosecution. - The government said compensation will be determined primarily on a first-come, first-served basis. Summary: The announcement sets firm registration and amnesty timelines and outlines how compensation and turn-in appointments will be handled. The program has drawn both support from gun-control groups and criticism from firearm-rights advocates and some provincial officials, with Alberta and Saskatchewan reported as posing legal barriers. A prior pilot collected fewer firearms than expected in Cape Breton, and federal officials say owners whose declarations are approved will be invited in the spring to complete claims and schedule turn-ins.