Feds to move on assault-style rifle ban

The federal government is poised to ban a variety of assault-style rifles, including the type used in the 1989 Montreal Massacre. During the fall election campaign, the Liberals said guns designed to inflict mass human casualties have no place in Canada.

One source familiar with the plan, but not authorized to speak about it publicly, says the government intends to issue orders-in-council within days banning several types of assault-style rifles, including the Ruger Mini-14 used to kill 14 women at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique. Owners of legally purchased firearms that fall under the ban would be offered fair-market prices through a buyback program.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today the government was almost ready to introduce measures to outlaw specific guns when Parliament suspended in March because of COVID-19.