Key takeaways:
- The government states there has been an uptick in firearm purchases since introducing new handgun legislation.
- Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly declared Friday that Canada would introduce a temporary prohibition on the importation of limited firearms beginning Aug. 19.
- This prohibition will remain till legislation to freeze firearm imports passes permanently.
The federal government intends to fast-track a prohibition on the import of firearms into the nation without the consent of Parliament using a regulatory action that comes into result in two weeks, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino declared Friday.
The change will last till a permanent freeze is given in Parliament and comes into force.
The government tabled a handgun control ruling in May, including a federal freeze on Canada’s importation, buy, sale, and transfer of firearms.
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That regulation did not pass before Parliament took its summer break and is set to be discussed again when MPs return to Ottawa in the fall.
In the meantime, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly stated she has the power to restrict any import or export access in Canada.
“Working with Marco, we came up with this concept of making this new system of needing permits,” Joly said. “But meanwhile, we will reject any permits.”
Source – CBC News
