Kawartha Lakes Councillors call for rethinking of gun buyback plan

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A push for change on the federal firearms buyback program came from city council, on Tuesday, January 27th, when Councillor Ron Ashmore presented a memorandum raising concerns about its impact on law-abiding gun owners.

Council members unanimously supported the motion and agreed to forward a copy of the resolution to MP Jamie Schmale, Public Safety Minister, Gary Anandasangaree, and, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

The memorandum points out, Canada has roughly 2.5 million licensed gun owners, including hunters, farmers, sport shooters, and First Nations peoples. While councillors support efforts to remove illegal firearms from communities, they say the current program unfairly targets responsible firearm owners rather than addressing criminal activity.

The federal initiative, which involves an amnesty period, disposal options, and compensation, has faced criticism from police services, police unions, academics, and firearms advocacy groups, many of whom argue it will not effectively reduce gun crime. Costs are projected at $750 million, with estimates reaching as high as $6 billion, if fully implemented. A pilot program, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, saw only 25 legally owned guns returned.

Council’s resolution emphasizes the need for a “more reasoned and less intrusive” approach, applauding federal efforts to remove illegal weapons while urging policies which do not penalize responsible Canadians.