Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a challenge against the federal government’s ban on firearms it considers “not reasonable for hunting or sporting purposes.”
The Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights (CCFR), along with several firearm owners, sport shooters, businesses, and hunters, asserted that the federal government did not have the authority to enact the ban which included more than 2,500 types of firearms, which the government labels “assault-style firearms.” Under that ban, they may no longer be legally used, sold, or imported.
Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights v. Canada
In its April 15 ruling regarding the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights v. Canada, the court referenced the group’s appeals regarding the same matter from October 2023.
The court stated, “… Four groups of parties, comprised of a not-for-profit advocacy organization, firearm owners, businesses, hunters, recreational and sport shooters, now appeal to this Court, relying on many of the same arguments as they did before the Federal Court. …I am of the view that the Federal Court did not err and that the appeal should be dismissed.”
The court also said that despite the perspective of gun owners, the federal cabinet is best situated to develop government policy and to assess the public interest. It also cited the inherent danger that firearms pose to public safety, mass shootings, and the increasing demand for measures to address gun violence as valid considerations in determining whether their use is reasonable for hunting and sporting purposes.
CCFR responds
A CCFR news release responding to the ruling stated, “Today we received the decision out of the Federal Court of Appeal on our long fight against the gun ban.
It’s bad news for Canadians for multiple reasons. It is the opinion of the judges that the “protections” in the Criminal Code to prevent the Governor in Council (GIC) from banning guns that are legitimate for hunting and sporting use, are irrelevant. Section 56 of the decision illustrates that the protection provision is subject to the whim of the GIC, who can change their mind at any time.
The decision is clear, the courts will not constrain the government’s overreach on this issue. This has negative implications on many aspects of the legal and legislative system in Canada. Our legal team will be reviewing the decision in depth over the next while and will advise on next steps.”
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