Liberal Firearm Buyback Faces Backlash from Key Ally

On December 6, 2023, the Liberal government of Canada is grappling with significant criticism from Poly Remembers regarding their proposed buyback program for military-style firearms. Despite efforts to remove such firearms from circulation, many believe the initiative fails to address the underlying issue of gun control effectively. Poly Remembers, a survivor-led group advocating for stricter gun regulations, claims the buyback initiative is insufficient and could potentially waste taxpayer money. They argue that the plan does not encompass all models of military-style firearms, allowing substitutes to flourish in the market. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's engagement in this ongoing debate was highlighted during a recent commemoration event for the 35th anniversary of the Polytechnique shooting in Montreal. The government's insistence that the buyback program will target 1,500 firearm models is met with skepticism, as critics, including some firearm shop owners, suggest that the banned models can easily be replaced by similar firearms currently available in the market. With impending by-elections and overall public sentiment trending against the government’s firearm policies, the political stakes have never been higher.