"The RCMP are making laws... and Ottawa's allowing it to happen."

Full VOD can be found Here.

Hosted on: We Love Hip-Hop Network

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/42446891

When it comes to Canada's often tense debate around gun laws, most Canadians likely will not have heard of an RCMP database called the Firearms Reference Table, or FRT.

The FRT is a database used by the RCMP to help classify firearms. That classification determines whether a gun is non-restricted, restricted or prohibited.

Technically, the FRT isn't a legal instrument, but instead just an internal RCMP tool based on definitions set out in the Criminal Code and Firearms Act. But in practice?

"It's both the law and not the law," said A.J. Somerset, the author of Arms: The Culture and Credo of the Gun.

Key takeaway for Firearms owners —

Back in May 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government introduced an order-in-council banning over 1,500 models of Canadian firearms newly labeled as “assault-style.” At the time, the government projected it would cost $200 million to compensate lawful firearms owners for forcibly taking their legally purchased and owned property from them through a forced buyback initiative. 

More than five years later, according to a departmental plan released by Public Safety Canada, the original $200 million cost estimate is now $459.8 million and climbing, yet only 12,195 firearms (less than 10 per cent of the targeted number) have been collected. The program has fallen so far behind schedule that private gun owners still cannot participate because only businesses that possess firearms are currently eligible. A notice on the program’s official website states: “The program is not yet available for individuals.”

The Government of Ontario has said they will not divert stretched policing resources to cooperate with this initiative because of the fundamental flaws of the design of the program and the clear ineffectiveness of the policy in fighting gun crime. As noted by Ontario’s solicitor general, more than 90 per cent of guns used in crimes are illegally imported into Ontario from the United States and this program diverts vast financial and policing resources towards something that does not make the public safer. The lawful ownership of well-regulated firearms by law-abiding Canadians who are also heavily regulated and screened in the process of the privilege to purchase and own a firearm is not the reason for gun violence. 

Further, the National Police Federation — which represents 20,000 RCMP members — has said the buyback policy is a “misdirected effort when it comes to public safety.” The Canadian Sporting Arms & Ammunition Association, which represents firearms retailers, said it will have “zero involvement” in helping confiscate these firearms. And Canada Post, which is tasked by the current policy with receiving and warehousing firearms all across the country, wants nothing to do with the program because of fear of conflicts between their staff and gun owners and the ability of their facilities to safely store potentially hundreds of weapons in their facilities all across Canada.

The policy is in shambles, it lacks any operational common sense, there is no evidence of it contributing in any way to better public safety, stakeholders are opposed to the approach and the financial costs are spiralling out of control. This policy is begging to be abandoned by Prime Minister Carney’s government.

One of the most popular 9mm PCCs for sport shooters— the R9 MK1—is no longer classified as non-restricted. As of July 6, 2025, the RCMP has listed it as PROHIBITED in the Firearms Reference Table.

What this means for owners:

No range use or transport

Must be stored as a prohibited firearm Cannot be sold or transferred

Subject to future buyback or amnesty programs

Check the official FRT listing:

https://rcmp.ca/en/firearms/firearms-reference-table

Her husband, a legal gun owner, didn't have time to load his shotgun, but pointed it at the criminals who quickly took off.

The family, who immigrated to Canada six years ago, say they now fear for their safety and say more needs to be done to catch and punish those responsible for recent home invasions.

"It's a criminal situation in this country. It's a terrible situation," the mother told us. "I hope maybe the government will see what is happening. I have hope, maybe government will change the law and do something."

A Privy Council Office report, Understanding Firearms Owners, casts serious doubt on the ability of the federal government to confiscate firearms from licensed gun owners.

The scheme faces a high risk of non-compliance, as well as exorbitant costs with little public safety benefit.

“The Government of Canada believes it is unlikely to be the most trusted messenger with individuals who own assault-style firearms,” the report states. 

It warns the confiscation scheme’s success hinges on gun owners’ belief in its legitimacy and connection to public safety, a connection that’s clearly lacking.

According to the report, only 15 percent of surveyed gun owners expect to be affected by the confiscation scheme that targets firearms banned by the May 2020 Order in Council and others added by the RCMP since then. 

Of that 15%, a whopping 67 percent say they’re unlikely to comply. The numbers are even higher in Western provinces, 71 percent in Alberta and Saskatchewan, revealing a deep regional mistrust of the federal Liberal government.

Journalist Lorne Gunter didn’t mince words.

“I don’t trust any government that doesn’t trust my law-abiding neighbors to own guns if they want to,” said journalist Lorne Gunter.

Though not a gun owner himself, Gunter emphasized the importance of personal liberty and practical governance. 

“You are not going to stop illegal shootings by confiscating legal weapons from law-abiding Canadians,” he said. “That’s the fallacy of all of this.”

Ekos’ findings support this disconnect. 

A majority of gun owners (84 percent) believe violence committed with guns is almost always committed by those in illegal possession of them. Further, 78 percent believe licensed gun owners are unfairly targeted by the Liberal government’s current policies.

Gunter sums up the controversy bluntly. 

“This is yet again a failure of government that is emotionally driven, not logically driven.” 

Ottawa’s Firearms Confiscation Compensation Scheme may be politically popular in some urban centers, but across the country it’s generating division, suspicion, and resistance.

As the Liberal government moves toward implementation, one uncomfortable truth lingers.

The criminal element will never be affected by this scheme because they don’t have firearms licenses and they don’t register their illegally-owned guns.

The Liberal Firearms Confiscation Compensation Scheme it is designed to target licensed gun owners only, which proves the point CSSA has made for years.

If improving public safety was truly its intent, the scheme would focus on criminals illegally possessing guns. 

This scheme was never intended to improve public safety.

"I don't trust any government that doesn't trust my law-abiding neighbours, to own guns if they want to."

While Liberal pro-crime laws C-5 and C-75 have ensured the frequent release of violent repeat offenders, including those guilty of domestic violence, they still continue their attack on licensed firearms owners.

Nathalie Provost claims that her government had banned assault rifles/weapons from civilian hands however, assault rifles/weapons have been banned in Canada since the 80’s.

Her government has banned “assault style rifles/weapons” based entirely on the firearms appearance, not function.