Canada’s interim import ban on handguns takes effect today
As of Friday, individuals and businesses are no longer able to import restricted handguns into Canada, with limited exceptions.
The move announced earlier this month is aimed at expediting a key pillar of the federal effort to cap the number of handguns in the country.
In May, the Liberal government announced a plan to implement a freeze on importing, buying, selling or otherwise transferring handguns to help quell firearm-related violence.
The measure is part of a broader firearms-control package that would allow for the automatic removal of gun licences from people committing domestic violence or engaged in criminal harassment, such as stalking, as well as increase the maximum penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking to 14 years from 10.