The Canadian government has admitted shortcomings in its Liberal gun buyback program after a pilot project in Nova Scotia resulted in far fewer firearms being collected than anticipated. During the six-week pilot phase conducted in Cape Breton, officials managed to recover and destroy only 25 banned assault-style firearms, despite earlier projections of collecting around 200 guns.
The pilot program was launched to test the operational framework of the federal gun buyback initiative, which aims to compensate civilian owners for firearms prohibited under legislation introduced in 2020. That legislation banned approximately 2,500 models of assault-style firearms, including the AR-15, with the government arguing such weapons are designed for military use rather than hunting or sport shooting.
Public Safety Canada said the pilot helped identify several issues that limited participation. These included unclear registration instructions, confusion around eligibility, and technical problems with the online portal used by firearm owners to participate in the program. Officials acknowledged that these barriers may have discouraged many gun owners from taking part.
A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangare said the pilot project was intended to uncover weaknesses before the program is expanded nationwide. The department described the pilot as a learning exercise that highlighted the need for improved communication, clearer guidance, and more user-friendly systems.
The gun buyback program has faced sustained criticism from opposition Conservatives and firearms advocacy groups, who argue it is costly, ineffective, and unfair to lawful gun owners. Supporters of the program, however, maintain that it is an important step toward reducing gun violence and improving public safety across Canada.
Alongside the pilot project update, the federal government announced it will provide up to $12.4 million to help Quebec cover costs associated with implementing the buyback program. Quebec’s Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière welcomed the funding, calling the initiative a positive move toward safer communities.
The amnesty period allowing owners to possess banned firearms while awaiting the buyback has been extended multiple times. The current deadline is set for October 30, 2026, giving the government additional time to refine the program and gun owners more time to comply.
Federal officials have not yet confirmed when the buyback program will launch nationwide. However, they say changes will be made based on feedback from the Nova Scotia pilot to ensure smoother implementation across the country
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