Liberals Outline Bill C-21 Amendments to Prohibit More Rifles and Shotguns
Editor’s Note, May 06: Read this update instead:
TheGunBlog.ca — Canada’s governing Liberal Party outlined proposals today to prohibit future rifle and shotgun designs, expanding its attacks against government-licensed gun users and businesses.
The planned amendments to Bill C-21 will also require firearm manufacturers to apply for and obtain government permission to sell any rifle or shotgun in Canada.
Ban New Designs
One amendment would criminalize any PAL holder who buys, sells, or owns any rifle or shotgun that is:
- centre-fire
- semi-automatic,
- originally designed for a detachable ammo mag that can hold six or more cartridges, and
- designed and made after Bill C-21 becomes law.
“This technical definition would cover firearms designed and manufactured after Bill C-21 comes into force; it would not affect the classification of existing firearms in the Canadian market,” the government said in a technical presentation today.
Key Point: Liberals Criminalize and Confiscate
The Liberals — supported by the NDP, Bloc Québécois and Green Party — are working to weaken citizens, destroy the firearm industry and kill modern shooting sports.
- NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said last week he plans a separate amendment directly targeting firearm manufacturers.
- The Conservative Party is the only group in the House of Commons that opposes criminalizing honest citizens.
Package of Prohibitions
The Liberal crackdowns are part of a package of prohibitions targeting honest individuals and families who have guns and ammo for personal protection, hunting, recreation, competition, collecting, and more.
The Liberals promised many of the restrictions a year ago when they first proposed Bill C-21.
- See our Policy Summary Table at Liberal Gun Bans.
Expanded Prohibition in Five Years?
The prohibition amendment would require a review after five years, opening the door to expanded criminalizations and confiscations.
The Liberals are ordering mass-prohibitions and confiscations on a whim by executive decree, making the five-year window irrelevant.
Crackdown on PAL Holders
Liberal Minister Marco Mendicino presented the planned changes to Bill C-21 today before the technical presentation.
The attacks specifically target Canada’s 2.3 million men and women with a government-issued firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and the country’s 2,500 government-licensed gun shops.
All guns and ammo are already banned for everyone else.
Three-Year Anniversary of May 2020 OIC
Today marks the third anniversary of the first in a series of mass-criminalization and confiscation “orders in council” (OIC) by Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
- On 01 May 2020, he made it a crime to own many popular rifles and shotguns.
- In October 2022, he began the confiscation of all legally owned handguns.
- He’s planning new prohibitions via OIC on ammunition magazines “in the near future,” plus restrictions on firearm storage, firearm markings, and more.
Sources of Optimism
- Bill C-21 has been stalled in the House of Commons SECU committee for almost two months.
- It may never become law.
- Several provinces are working to block the Liberal attacks.
- The Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre are rising in popularity and oppose the Liberal crackdowns.
- The free market and new technologies will enable people to get the gear they desire.
- We will prevail!
Technical Briefing, News Release, Backgrounder
Source: Department of Public Safety
Technical Briefing