Proposed federal legislation freezing sale, imports of handguns draws criticism from Winnipeg gun owner
New legislation tabled by the federal government is taking aim at handgun ownership.
Tabled Monday afternoon, the bill is a mix of federal measures that didn't pass before last year's election and adds some new proposals made during the campaign.
"We are introducing legislation to implement a national freeze on handgun ownership," announced Trudeau at the conference. "This means it will no longer be possible to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere in Canada."
It's concerning news for Darryl Tomlinson, a gunsmith at The Canadian Gun Guys.
He said a freeze on handguns would cut half his business and unfairly target legal owners.
Tomlinson said buying a gun in Canada isn't easy and can take quite a while.
"You already have to have the licence, which means you are already vetted by CSIS and deemed not a criminal and not a danger to society," said Tomlinson.
Tomlinson noted he places importance on gun safety and claims most crimes aren't committed by legal owners.
At the news conference, Trudeau also announced an increased effort to stop the trafficking of illegal guns into Canada, including stiffer penalties for smuggling firearms.
"We know our efforts are working because last year our agencies intercepted nearly double the amount of firearms than the year before," he said.
Frank Cormier, a criminologist and department head at the University of Manitoba, said Canada doesn't really know where criminals' guns are coming from.
He believes more data recording needs to take place; something Statistics Canada says it's working on improving.
"You know, firearms that are used in criminal events or homicides and that kind of thing, we don't know how many are illegally obtained and brought in from the US," said Cormier.
As for Tomlinson, he's now waiting to see if the legislation passes.
"It's a losing battle, and all we can do is encourage education in the firearm industry, and hopefully, we get back to where we used to be," he said.
Also included in the tabled changes is a new "red flag" law allowing courts to take away firearms from people deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Firearms licences from those involved in domestic violence or criminal harassment could be taken away if the legislation passes.
The Liberals also say they will require long-gun magazines to be permanently altered so they can never hold more than five rounds and ban the sale and transfer of large-capacity magazines under the Criminal Code.
-With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.