Liberal gun-control bill headed to Senate following passage by House of Commons

Story by The Canadian Press • 

Liberal gun-control bill headed to Senate following passage by House of Commons© Provided by The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — Almost a year after its introduction, MPs have passed a gun-control bill that would cement restrictions on handguns, increase penalties for firearm trafficking and try to curb homemade ghost guns.

The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, also includes a ban on assault-style firearms that would apply once the bill comes into force.

The government bill passed 207 to 113 with the support of Liberal, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Green members of Parliament.

The Conservatives oppose the legislation, saying it penalizes law-abiding firearm owners instead of targeting criminal gun violence.

Objections from the Tories and some gun owners over the initial scope of the assault-style gun ban sparked an uproar that sidelined the bill for weeks.

Under a revamped approach, the government would make regulations through the Firearms Act to ensure that guns are classified correctly before entering the Canadian market.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2023.