Owners of banned assault-style firearms in Canada have until March 31, 2026, to sign up for a federal program that offers compensation for turning in or permanently disabling their guns.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the program in Montreal, saying it is meant to remove dangerous firearms from communities while fairly compensating law-abiding owners.
The sign-up period for eligible gun licence holders begins Monday, with notices sent directly to valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) holders. Applications can be submitted online or by mail, and payments will mostly be made on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available funding.
Once approved, participants will arrange a time to surrender their firearms to police or the RCMP for verification and destruction.
Canada banned about 2,500 models of assault-style firearms in May 2020, including the AR-15, saying they are designed for military use and do not belong in civilian communities.
