Newfoundland and Labrador is joining the ranks of the disenchanted regarding the federal government’s “Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program,” and will not be participating in it.
The province says it is committed to reducing gun violence, but it does not feel the program reflects the realities of what is happening in Newfoundland and Labrador, or aligns with its priorities.
Government is concerned about the strain the weapons buyback could place on policing resources, and whether it would deliver meaningful improvement in terms of public safety. The PC government believes that law enforcement resources should be directed toward tackling violent crime, drug-related activity, and repeat offenders – not toward what they believe are measures that “risk targeting law-abiding citizens.”
The federal effort includes an amnesty period, which expires on October 30th.
Several other provinces have opted out.