Provinces Challenge Federal Firearms Ban at Supreme Court
Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario argued before the Supreme Court of Canada on Nov. 10 that Ottawa had exceeded its authority when it prohibited hundreds of firearm models in 2020. Lawyers for the provinces maintained that the federal government had not adequately considered legitimate hunting and sport shooting when introducing the prohibitions, while Supreme Court justices questioned how those activities should be weighed against public safety concerns.
TL;DR
- Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario are challenging the federal government's 2020 firearm ban at the Supreme Court of Canada.
- The provinces contend that Ottawa exceeded its authority by prohibiting hundreds of firearm models.
- Lawyers for the provinces argued that the ban did not sufficiently consider legitimate hunting and sport shooting.
- The Supreme Court justices questioned the balance between these activities and public safety concerns.
- The case focuses on Section 117.15(2) of the Criminal Code, which limits the cabinet's power to prohibit firearms suitable for hunting or sport.
- Appellants seek to overturn lower court decisions that upheld the ban on approximately 1,500 firearm models, including AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14.
- The list of prohibited firearms has since expanded to over 2,500 varieties deemed "assault-style" by Ottawa.