Liberal Gun Control Bill to Become Law After Passing Senate

The Senate has voted 60–24 to pass Bill C-21, a piece of legislation that cements handgun restrictions into place, increases penalties on firearms traffickers, and implements new “red flag” provisions. Bill C-21 aims to create an evergreen definition to ban firearms that discharge centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner, and which are designed to hold a magazine of six or more cartridges, which it refers to as “assault-style” firearms. The definition would only apply to firearms manufactured after the bill comes into force, and not impact current owners of these firearm types. Bill C-21 also aims to implement red flag provisions, allowing for applications to be made in provincial courts to prevent someone from possessing firearms and other weapons, “if the person believes on reasonable grounds that it is not desirable in the interests of the safety of the person against whom the order is sought.” Additionally, the legislation increases the maximum penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking from 10 years to 14 years in prison....