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Legal Battle over Federal Firearms Ban Heads to Supreme Court of Canada
The government says the ban is needed for public safety, while challengers argue Ottawa used regulations to outlaw more than 2,500 firearms.
- On Monday, the Supreme Court of Canada began hearing arguments regarding the federal government's 2020 ban on more than 2,500 varieties of assault-style firearms, testing whether Ottawa exceeded its regulatory authority to protect public safety.
- Challengers, including Alberta and the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, argue Ottawa criminalized ownership "at the stroke of a pen" for more than 100,000 licensed Canadians without evidence that these firearms users pose a safety threat.
- Federal lawyers contend the ban is reasonable, citing the lethality of these weapons in mass shootings and Parliament's broad discretionary authority to prioritize public safety over recreational use.
- As of mid-2026, the government has paid businesses $96 million for about 74,000 firearms, while a possession amnesty remains in effect until 90 days after the Supreme Court delivers its final ruling.
- This hearing represents the biggest case for the Supreme Court this fall, determining whether the government properly utilized regulatory powers or infringed on exclusive provincial jurisdiction over hunting and sport shooting.
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35 Articles
35 Articles
The Toronto Star+32 Reposted by 32 other sources
Legal battle over federal firearms ban heads to Supreme Court of Canada
OTTAWA - The country's top court is set to hear legal arguments this week about the validity of a federal ban on hundreds of types of firearms the government says are fit only for the battlefield.
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources35
Leaning Left24Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
C 29%
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