Manitoba has reported a total of fewer than 2,500 firearms declared in the federal gun buyback program. This initiative encouraged gun owners to surrender “assault-style” firearms. However, participation has been notably low.
Details of the Gun Buyback Program
As of March 31, the deadline for participation, 2,442 firearms were declared by residents in the province. This total comes from a national figure of over 67,000 firearms reported by 37,869 gun owners since the program’s launch on January 19.
The numbers fall short of the government’s expectations. Authorities had anticipated declaring approximately 136,000 firearms, based on their budget. Ottawa allocated $248.6 million for the program, reflecting its significance to national policy.
Provincial Response
Manitoba’s leadership has expressed skepticism regarding the efficacy of the buyback program. Premier Wab Kinew indicated that the province would not participate, citing inefficiency as a significant concern.
In Winnipeg, the police have partnered to administer the buyback system. The city’s executive policy committee referred the program to the council, although Mayor Scott Gillingham’s office clarified that this was not an endorsement. The intent was to ensure costs would be covered by the federal government.
Regulatory Context
- More than 2,500 gun makes and models are included in the federal ban list.
- Owners who missed the March 31 deadline have until October 30 to either dispose of or permanently deactivate their firearms.
In conclusion, the federal gun buyback program in Manitoba has seen limited uptake, reflecting broader challenges in gun control measures across the country.
