Late on Thursday afternoon, the Canadian Senate finally passed the reform of the firearms law, which specifically provides for a purchase ban on new handguns, but not a ban on handguns.
“C-21, our gun control bill, passed the Senate. “It will now be submitted to the Governor General for royal assent,” Public Security Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced on X.
The bill was approved in third reading by 60 senators, with 24 against.
In addition to barring the purchase and importation of handguns, the Senate-passed bill also aims to make it more difficult to obtain gun permits, particularly for people convicted after a domestic violence incident. There are also stricter penalties for certain crimes committed with firearms.
“These measures represent concrete and effective progress that will save many lives, especially by automatically banning the possession of firearms for all persons subject to a protection order,” said Nathalie Provost, spokeswoman for PolySeSouvient, in a press release.
No ban on assault weapons
However, the tightening of firearms legislation, a flagship measure announced by the Liberal government, was stripped of a key element, the ban on assault weapons. Only models created in the future will be locked with C-21.
Ottawa had backed away from the scope of its bill by withdrawing a list of weapons it wanted to ban.
“We know that the gun lobby will continue to use its significant resources and influence to weaken, delay or block meaningful progress. While we celebrate this important victory today, we must also remember that the fight is not over,” lamented Ms. Provost.