Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced plans to expand the federal government’s gun buyback initiative nationwide following a lackluster response during a trial run in Nova Scotia. The pilot program in Cape Breton aimed to collect 200 assault-style firearms to evaluate key aspects of the initiative.
While official figures from the buyback program are pending, reports suggest that around 22 prohibited firearms were returned, significantly below the initial target. The trial, which spanned six weeks from October 1, will serve as a basis for refining the program before its national rollout.
Anandasangaree acknowledged the trial’s value in identifying and rectifying initial technical issues, affirming readiness for the program’s broader implementation. Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s police commission chair, Coun. Glenn Paruch, refrained from labeling the trial a success but expressed optimism about the potential impact when scaled nationwide.
Notably, the pilot faced opposition, with over 100 protestors rallying against the ban and buyback program outside Cape Breton Regional Police headquarters. Anandasangaree previously encountered controversy over remarks made in an audio recording, where he downplayed concerns about enforcement and linked the buyback to political considerations in Quebec.
Chief Robert Walsh of Cape Breton Regional Police abstained from commenting on the results, respecting the federal government’s jurisdiction over the project. Anandasangaree, in response to past criticisms, acknowledged his comments’ inappropriateness and reassured the public of law enforcement’s capability to enforce the program effectively.