OTTAWA –
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says Canada plans to temporarily ban gun imports into the country without parliamentary approval using a regulatory measure that takes effect in two weeks.
The change will last until the permanent freeze is passed by parliament and comes into effect.
The government introduced gun control legislation in May that includes a national freeze on the import, purchase, sale and transfer of handguns in Canada, but it has not yet been passed.
The temporary ban would prevent businesses from importing handguns into Canada with a few exceptions that mirror those in the legislation introduced in May.
As foreign affairs minister, Melanie Jolie says she has the power to ban any import or export permit to Canada.
Government trade data show Canada imported $26.4 million worth of handguns and revolvers between January and June, a 52 percent increase over the same period last year.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 5, 2022.
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