More than 7,000 banned firearms declared in Alberta under Canada federal buyback program

More than 7,000 prohibited firearms have been declared by owners in Alberta under the federal firearm compensation program launched by Canada, but uncertainty remains over how owners in the province will actually receive payment.

Federal figures show that 7,334 firearms were declared in Alberta by the end of March, placing the province among the highest in the country for declarations.

Nationally, more than 67,000 prohibited firearms were reported by nearly 38,000 firearm owners.

The federal government introduced the program after banning approximately 2,500 firearm models described as assault style weapons.

Officials in Ottawa argue these firearms are designed primarily for combat purposes rather than hunting or sport use.

However, Alberta has maintained strong opposition to the collection process.

Mickey Amery said the province will not take part in implementing what he described as a confiscation program that unfairly targets lawful firearm owners.

The Alberta government has instructed provincial agencies, including police services under provincial authority, not to participate in the collection program.

That position creates uncertainty because federal authorities had planned for collection through police services, mobile units, or federal policing channels.

Teri Bryant said the responsibility now rests with federal authorities to determine how collection and compensation will proceed without provincial cooperation.

Federal authorities have indicated that firearm declarations are now being reviewed and owners will soon receive further instructions.

The compensation process remains unclear for residents in Alberta and neighbouring provinces where similar resistance exists.

The federal deadline now moves toward October, when prohibited firearms must either be surrendered, deactivated, or legally disposed of.

Failure to comply after that deadline may expose owners to criminal liability under federal law.

Among firearm owners in rural Alberta, reactions remain divided.

Some believe participating in declarations was necessary to comply with federal requirements, while others continue to oppose the program as government overreach.

The issue has become part of a broader legal and political conflict, especially as constitutional arguments against the firearm ban are now moving through the court system.

Legal observers say the disagreement between provincial authority and federal enforcement has created one of the most unusual firearm policy confrontations in recent Canadian history.

Courtesy: CBC