Alberta Gun Owners Unable to Access Federal Buyback Compensation Due to Provincial-Federal Dispute

More than 7,000 prohibited firearms have been declared in Alberta under the federal government's gun buyback program. Owners in the province are unable to collect compensation due to an ongoing dispute between the Alberta and federal governments regarding the program's operation. The program stems from a 2020 federal ban on approximately 2,500 models of firearms classified as assault-style.

The ban was enacted by Public Safety Canada, which stated that the firearms are largely designed for warfare rather than hunting or sport shooting. Individuals had until March 31, 2024, to declare eligible prohibited firearms. Owners whose declarations are accepted can choose to turn in their firearms or deactivate them, with collection appointments arranged through the RCMP, a mobile collection unit, or local police.

Alberta has directed provincial entities, including law enforcement agencies, to decline participation in the program under its provincial sovereignty legislation. Public Safety Canada stated that Alberta's legislation is preventing residents from receiving compensation. The federal government encourages Alberta to allow residents to seek compensation through the program.

Public Safety Canada Heather Jenkins, press secretary to Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery, stated that the federal government has provided no information to Alberta regarding plans for mobile collection of firearms or responses to declarations from Albertans.

Jenkins added that questions about the program's operation, including compensation, should be directed to the federal government. She noted that participants in the program's delivery must be licensed as seizure agents in Alberta, and the Alberta Chief Firearms Office has received no such applications.

The federal government has set an October 2024 deadline by which prohibited guns must be disposed of or deactivated, regardless of whether owners sought compensation. Advocacy groups have encouraged gun owners to hold off on participation and await potential Supreme Court proceedings.

The dispute highlights tensions between federal and provincial jurisdictions on firearms policy, affecting Alberta residents who own the banned firearms.