Local police services opt out of assault-style firearms buyback program

Local municipal police forces are not participating in the federal assault-style firearm buyback program. Bryan Bicknell explains why.

Local gun owners hoping to take advantage of the federal government’s buy-back program may be out of luck - at least for the time being.

CTV News conducted an informal survey of local police services and learned that none are taking part in the program.

Under the program by Public Safety Canada, owners of banned assault-style firearms have until March 31, 2026 to declare interest in the program, which offers compensation for turning guns into police, or permanently deactivating them.

Involvement of local police services is voluntary.

The London Police Service has opted not to take part, issuing the following statement:

“The London Police Service has not signed an agreement to participate in the federal assault-style firearms compensation program, and at this point we will not be signing on. Our focus will remain where it has the greatest impact in London: illegal firearms, violent and repeat offenders, and the drivers of gun violence.”

Other area police services opting-out include Sarnia, Strathroy-Caradoc, Woodstock, Aylmer, Chatham Kent, and St. Thomas.

St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp issued the following statement:

At this time, we are still evaluating our position on the extent of the St. Thomas Police Service’s participation in the federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program with Public Safety Canada. Similar to our policing partners throughout Canada, we have concerns on program clarity, scope, management, and the post-amnesty enforcement expectations.

Strathroy-Caradoc Police Chief Mark Campbell chairs the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. He says local services simply don’t have the resources to administer the program.

“And more importantly, is it taking away from local priorities?” Campbell questioned. “Other policing programs that our community members here are expecting us to continue to perform. And really that becomes the tipping point, the basis of whether this program is, you know, as an administrative program, taking the place of something that is maybe more pressing for our community members.”

Since 2020, the federal government has outlawed approximately 2,500 types of firearms on the basis they only belong on the battlefield. How much each compensation each gun fetches depend on the model. It ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

The deadline to surrender affected firearms is Oct. 30, 2026 after which time any such guns will be illegal. And although police services in the area are not taking part, Campbell says there will always be options to turn over firearms.

“I think I can confidently speak on behalf of every police organization in the province of Ontario, if someone wants to turn a firearm in, a police agency will take that firearm,” said Campbell.