Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced legislation to put a “freeze” on handgun ownership.
He said during a press conference, “It will no longer be possible to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere in Canada.”
Trudeau added, “We recognize that the vast majority of gun owners use them safely and in accordance with the law, but other than using firearms for sport shooting and hunting, there is no reason anyone in Canada should need guns in their everyday lives.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to introduce a bill "freezing" handgun ownership, saying there's no reason apart from sport shooting or hunting to own a firearm in Canada. #9News pic.twitter.com/zeEaTudpie
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) May 31, 2022
Additionally, he tweeted, “One Canadian killed by gun violence is one too many. That’s why we’ve banned 1,500 types of military-style assault firearms. And that’s why, today, we’ve introduced legislation to further strengthen gun control in Canada.”
One Canadian killed by gun violence is one too many. That’s why we’ve banned 1,500 types of military-style assault firearms. And that’s why, today, we’ve introduced legislation to further strengthen gun control in Canada. Thread ⤵️
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 30, 2022
According to Trudeau, Canada will “also increase criminal penalties to combat gun smuggling and trafficking, provide authorities with more tools to investigate firearms crimes, and criminalize the modification of magazines to prevent them from holding more than the legal limit of ammunition.”
He continued, “In addition, we’ll make sure that people involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment have their firearms licenses taken away. And we’ll make sure that those who are considered a danger to themselves or others have to surrender their firearms to authorities.”
In addition, we’ll make sure that people involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment have their firearms licenses taken away. And we’ll make sure that those who are considered a danger to themselves or others have to surrender their firearms to authorities.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 30, 2022
In April 2020, a gunman carried out Canada’s deadliest mass shooting.
Twenty-two people were killed.
Trudeau’s announcement comes less than a week after a gunman opened fire killing 21 people at an elementary school in Texas.
“The students, the parents, the teachers, the entire community have had their lives changed forever by this unimaginable event,” Trudeau said.
He added, “All of Canada grieves with our American friends in this terrible, terrible day.”
President Joe Biden told reporters on Monday that gun control is up to Congress.
“I can’t dictate this stuff,” Biden said.
He added, “I can do the things I’ve done and any executive action I can take, I’ll continue to take. But I can’t outlaw a weapon. I can’t change a background check. I can’t do that.”