URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/supreme-court-liberals-firearm-ban-9.7134608 Status: 200 Final URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/supreme-court-liberals-firearm-ban-9.7134608 Title: Canada's top court will hear challenges to Liberals' firearms ban | CBC News Canada's top court will hear challenges to Liberals' firearms ban | CBC News Skip to Main Content Accessibility Help Menu Menu When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Search Search Sign In Quick Links News Sports Radio Music Listen Live TV Watch news Top Stories Local Climate World Canada Politics Indigenous Business The National Health Entertainment Science CBC News Investigates Disability Life Go Public About CBC News Being Black in Canada More Canada's top court will hear challenges to Liberals' firearms ban | CBC News Loaded Politics Canada's top court will hear challenges to Liberals' firearms ban The Supreme Court will hear arguments against the Liberal government's controversial decision to outlaw certain firearms. Banned models can no longer be legally used or sold Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Mar 19, 2026 11:17 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 19 Play Listen to this article Estimated 4 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. The Supreme Court of Canada will hear a challenge to the federal firearms ban first introduced in 2020. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) Social Sharing The Supreme Court of Canada will hear arguments against the Liberal government's controversial decision to outlaw certain firearms. The top bench said Thursday it will hear four appeals together challenging the Justin Trudeau-era policy banning hundreds of makes and models, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14. The government first moved to ban the use, sale and importation of some 1,500 firearms in May 2020 in the wake of the Nova Scotia mass killing, the worst in modern Canadian history. The banned list has since grown to 2,500 varieties, with the government arguing it's in the name of public safety. The policy has been generally applauded by gun control advocates, but faces backlash from many gun owners, including hunters and sport shooters, and the Conservative Opposition who all argue the move punishes law-abiding gun owners instead of going after criminals. Federal Court dismisses challenge of Trudeau's 2020 firearms ban What kind of firearms were used in Tumbler Ridge shooting? Gun control groups urge transparency from RCMP The original 2020 ban was challenged by firearm owners and Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights — the country's gun lobby — who argued the government lacked the authority to ban the guns via an order issued by the federal cabinet. They point to the Criminal Code which restricts cabinet from prohibiting firearms "if they are deemed reasonable for hunting or sporting purposes." Their cases were dismissed by the Federal Court in 2023 , with Justice Catherine Kane saying then prime minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet did not exceed their powers in passing the regulations. The Federal Court of Appeal agreed with her decision in 2025, with the chief justice writing that "surely, the inherent danger that some firearms pose to public safety" and "the increasing demand for measures to address gun violence" are valid considerations "in determining whether their use is reasonable for hunting and sporting purposes." As usual, the Supreme Court justices did not say why they decided to hear this case. CCFR seeking to extend amnesty period "We couldn't be happier," said Tracey Wilson, vice-president of public relations for the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights. "I had to pull off on the 401 because I was just so excited. So I think it's a great day for Canadian gun owners and a great day for democracy." Wilson reiterated her group's long-held argument that most gunowners follow the law. "We've done nothing wrong. We followed every law and regulation, regardless of how ridiculous they are. And it doesn't seem to matter," she said. "It's going to answer a really important question. And that is, can the government step into your life, into your home, and confiscate your legally acquired property that you've owned for decades, if not generations, without issue." Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights' Tracey Wilson and Rod Giltaca protest the government's gun regulations on Parliament Hill in 2020. The group's legal challenge is now before the Supreme Court. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the government remains confident the ban falls "within limits set by Parliament." "The government of Canada will continue to use every tool at its disposal to keep Canadians safe from gun violence," said the spokesperson, Simon Lafortune, in a statement. Minister recorded saying police lack resources to enforce gun buyback While first introduced under Trudeau, Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to follow through with the firearm ban and compensation program. The top court's decision comes as the government is in the midst of rolling out its buyback program. Gunowners have pushed back against the name, saying they don't have a choice but to sell their firearms or risk prosecution. Owners have until the end of the month to declare their firearms, before the program moves into the collection phase. Lafortune said since the launch of the program in mid-January, "more than 47,000 firearms have been declared across Canada" on top of the 12,000 that were already collected and destroyed through the business buyback program last year. The amnesty period for possessing the banned guns has been extended several times. The latest deadline is Oct. 30, 2026. Wilson said her group will seek an injunction to extend that until after the case is heard and the Supreme Court justices reach a decision. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Catharine Tunney Reporter Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices · About CBC News Corrections and clarifications · Submit a news tip · Report error Footer Links My Account Profile CBC Gem Newsletters About CBC Accounts Connect with CBC Facebook X YouTube Instagram Mobile RSS Podcasts Contact CBC Submit Feedback Help Centre Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 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