Canadians say Carney Liberals' 'voluntary' gun buyback program is anything but as it gets underway in Nova Scotia

The federal government launched a pilot buyback of newly prohibited “assault-style” firearms on Wednesday in Cape Breton, N.S., prompting immediate local opposition and a planned demonstration in Sydney the following day. 

Officials say the pilot will test elements of the wider buyback program, including an online portal and the initial collection of roughly 200 firearms ahead of a broader rollout. The program is intended to remove firearms that were reclassified as prohibited under recent federal orders. 

Organizers of the Sydney rally say residents are alarmed by what they view as broad definitions of “assault-style” weapons and by buyback valuations they call inconsistent. “I don't think that you can just call something assault style, convince the public that it's scary and then not expect any pushback,” said Anna Manley to the CBC, one of the rally organizers. “There are [.22-calibre guns] on that list. That is a small entry-level rifle. It is absolutely ridiculous that they're calling that assault style.” 

Some local gun owners said they will use the buyback while criticizing the program’s design. Mark Voutier, who legally owns a .22-calibre semi-automatic rifle now listed as prohibited, said he plans to accept the federal offer but called the initiative “not voluntary.” “It's turn it in now for this offer or else,” he said. Voutier added he expects police to track remaining owners after the program and that non-compliance could result in licence loss and forfeiture of firearms without compensation. 

Critics have also questioned buyback pricing and whether the program was fully planned before the announcement. The federal government says the pilot will inform valuation and logistics for the national buyback.