Halifax Regional Police to take part in federal gun buyback program

CITYnews halifax / By Chris Halef

Halifax Regional Police signed an agreement with the highest level of government to take part in the federal gun buyback program.

This comes after the feds prohibited over 2,500 makes and models of what the government refers to as assault style firearms.

Police said now that these firearms are prohibited, the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program allows gunowners to declare their prohibited firearm and receive payment for their disposal or deactivation.

“I understand that most of these firearms were purchased lawfully and by licenced gun owners, but on October 30th, 2026, they will be illegal across Canada,” said HRP Chief Don MacLean. “This program is not about criminalizing gunowners. It’s about ensuring people have the support they need to comply with new federal laws.”

MacLean said while he knows most gunowners do not have a malicious intent to misuse their firearm, he does believe Halifax would benefit from having fewer guns in communities.

Related:

• Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to refuse federal gun buyback program
• Anandasangaree says lack of help from some provinces, police won’t thwart gun buyback
• Federal firearm buyback program to open Monday, with March 31 deadline to register

“We can’t ignore the reality, Nova Scotia is responding to an intimate partner violence epidemic. And some of the most tragic examples of gun violence in our province were incidents of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse,” he said.

“As police chief, I believe I have a duty to victims, survivors and all citizens in HRM to support any initiative that can reduce the presence of firearms in our communities.”

According to HRP, gunowners must declare their intent to take part in the program by March 31.

Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed about 2,500 types of guns, including the AR-15, on the basis they belong only on the battlefield.

“These are firearms designed for war, for killing people,” said Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. “They have no place in our communities.”

Owners whose declarations are approved will be invited to finalize their claims and schedule appointments to turn in their guns to the RCMP, local police or a mobile collection unit.

Prohibited firearms and devices must be disposed of — or permanently deactivated — by the end of an amnesty period on Oct. 30.

The government says anyone in possession of a banned firearm or device after the amnesty period will be breaking the law and could face criminal prosecution.

With files from The Canadian Press.