Gun Buyback Pilot Faces Backlash in Cape Breton, Urgent Concerns Raised

UPDATE: The federal government’s gun buyback pilot program, aimed at compensating legal owners for turning in prohibited firearms, is sparking significant backlash in Cape Breton, N.S.. Local business owners and gun enthusiasts are voicing urgent concerns as the program rolls out, describing a feeling of being “backed into a corner.”

John Campbell, owner of The Bullet Box, a gun store and indoor range in Sydney, Cape Breton, emphasized the dire impact on his six-year-old business. “When you have your inventory essentially being frozen and saying you can’t sell it, it’s devastating,” he stated. The program, part of the federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP), is designed to remove approximately 2,500 firearms from circulation, with compensation ranging from $150 to over $9,900 depending on the firearm’s make and model.

The Cape Breton Regional Police, one of the few forces assisting in this pilot, announced that they have already begun processing registrations for the program, which officially launched its online portal on October 1, 2023. However, gun owners in the region are organizing protests against the initiative. Just days before the launch, approximately 100 rally attendees voiced their dissent outside the Cape Breton police headquarters, signaling a growing movement against the buyback.

Concerns extend beyond those directly affected by the bans. Local resident and avid hunter Darlene LeBlanc expressed skepticism about the program’s effectiveness in reducing gun violence. “Why are they coming after the legal ones?” she questioned, highlighting a pervasive sentiment that the government is targeting responsible gun owners instead of addressing illegal firearms.

Despite the pushback, Robert Walsh, Chief of Cape Breton Regional Police, reiterated the government’s stance: “This is about public safety and security of our communities.” Officials argue that the buyback is a necessary measure to prevent further tragedies related to gun violence.

Critics of the program, including Conservative MP Blaine Calkins, are calling for a reevaluation of the projected $756 million cost. “Why would we waste three quarters of a billion dollars on this program?” Calkins stated at one of the rallies. He, along with representatives from the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, urged participants not to comply with the buyback initiative, framing it as government overreach.

Adding to the controversy, leaked audio from Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree suggested he would have approached the situation differently, raising further questions about the government’s handling of the program. Political analyst Tom Urbaniak noted the public relations crisis this leak created, stating, “It couldn’t have been a worse situation for the minister.”

As the pilot program aims to collect 210 firearms to test its effectiveness, resistance is mounting. Gun owners fear that their rights may be further restricted, with local organizer Simon Evis declaring, “The policy they’ve chosen to pursue does nothing to reduce gun crime and enhance public safety.”

The stakes are high, as the buyback initiative’s amnesty is set to end in October 2026, after which keeping the prohibited firearms will become a criminal offense. With the situation escalating, all eyes are on Cape Breton as community members and officials engage in a critical conversation about gun rights, public safety, and government authority.

As tensions rise, the future of the program remains uncertain. Local residents are urged to stay informed and engaged as developments unfold.