More guns for “buyback” program
More details released about the pending firearms so-called “buyback” program revealed that owners of classic double barrel shotguns in eight-gauge are among those being impacted.
While the May 2020, Order-In-Council was aimed at centrefire semi-automatic AR-15-style guns, it also captured some hunting guns with a restriction on a bore diameter of greater than 20 mm and/or muzzle energy of 10,000 joules or greater. This includes firearms chambered in .460 Weatherby Magnum and 8 gauges. The eight-gauge guns include classic Parker Bros. and Lefevre side-by-side shotguns.
“All firearms that possess these characteristics were determined to be prohibited, regardless of any other characteristics, such as market prevalence, availability of ammunition or rarity, or whether the firearm was listed by name in the regulations,” said Max Watson, spokesperson for Public Safety Canada.
Asked if eight-gauge shotguns or .460 Wby. Mag. rifles have been used in the commission of a crime, Watson answered, “Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics at Statistics Canada has advised that specific information, including the gauge or calibre of firearms used in crime, is not available at a national level.”