The federal government has quietly expanded its gun buyback program to include parts and accessories for banned assault-style weapons, a move that could significantly increase the program’s overall cost. The announcement was not publicly highlighted but appeared as an update on the government’s website, listing components like barrels, magazines, bolts, grips, and sights eligible for compensation ranging from $3.20 to $1,264 per part.
Closing a Loophole, Raising Costs
The inclusion of parts aims to address concerns about “ghost guns”—firearms assembled from unregulated components, often with 3D-printed receivers. Critics have long warned that leaving parts unregulated would undermine public safety. “If you don’t encompass all the parts, really there’s no public safety enhancement you could ever argue,” said Wes Winkel, president of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA).
However, the addition of parts is expected to inflate the buyback’s costs. Winkel and other industry experts noted the logistical and administrative challenges for retailers tasked with cataloging, packaging, and transporting these items for destruction.
Program Costs Balloon
The buyback program, which began with a focus on collecting and destroying banned assault-style firearms, has already cost $70 million while yielding minimal results. An analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Officer in 2021 estimated the program would cost $756 million, excluding inflation and the inclusion of parts. Critics, including Gage Haubrich of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, predict the final price tag could rival the infamous federal gun registry, which ballooned from an initial $2 million estimate to over $2 billion.
“If anything, [the inclusion of parts] is going to make it a lot more expensive,” Haubrich said, pointing out that many firearm owners have extensive collections of accessories that now qualify for compensation.
Political and Legal Hurdles
The buyback program faces stiff opposition from Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has vowed to cancel what he calls a “gun grab” if his party wins the next federal election. Additionally, Alberta and Saskatchewan have introduced legislation requiring federal officials to obtain provincial licenses to carry out the buyback and mandating “fair” compensation for parts and ammunition.
Eric Adams, a constitutional law expert, noted that while federal law typically overrides provincial measures, provincial resistance could lead to delays and logistical challenges. “Provinces may very well choose not to co-operate … including directing their police forces not to seize guns or participate in the buyback,” Adams explained.
The Ghost Gun Threat
The addition of parts also responds to growing concerns about ghost guns, untraceable firearms made from parts and 3D-printed components. While the RCMP does not track the use of ghost guns in crimes, data from a national database shows 363 ghost guns were seized in 2023, with 219 recovered in the first half of 2024.
Police forces across Canada and the U.S. have warned of the rising prevalence of these weapons, which are increasingly used in violent crimes.
Future of the Buyback Program
With tensions high and opposition mounting, the expanded gun buyback program faces a complex road ahead. While the federal government is committed to curbing gun violence, the rising costs, political resistance, and logistical hurdles pose significant challenges to its success. For now, the program remains a contentious battleground in Canada’s effort to balance public safety and individual rights.
