‘It’s always good to take guns off the street, but this program has not been identified as a policing priority in the province of Ontario,’ says chief
Local police are joining other groups in choosing not to participate in a federal firearm initiative that’s being seen as ineffective.
The South Simcoe Police Service is stepping back from the federal government’s buyback program for assault-style firearms after receiving approval from the Bradford West Gwillimbury/Innisfil Police Services Board during their regular meeting at the South Division in Bradford on Jan. 28.
“It’s always good to take guns off the street, but this program has not been identified as a policing priority in the province of Ontario,” Chief John Van Dyke stated, pointing out that Premier Doug Ford and others have criticized the initiative.
During a press conference on Jan. 21, Ford accused the federal government of “focusing on the wrong group” and added “I support law-abiding hunters and gun owners.”
In September, federal Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree confirmed that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would also not take part in this program, and an Oct. 1 statement from the Ontario Association of Chief’s of Police (OACP) indicated they wouldn’t endorse or facilitate it.
“This program is not a policing or public safety priority in Ontario,” reads the OACP statement.
This means that Van Dyke noted there won’t be any provincial body coordinating efforts for the federal assault-style firearms compensation program (ASFCP), which was set up for gun owners to voluntarily surrender prohibited firearms for compensation.
This followed changes to federal laws aimed at reducing access to assault-style weapons, with over 2,500 makes and models banned since May 2020.
This may not effectively decrease either the number or types of guns used criminally though.
A study conducted by the National Police Federation in February 2022 on illegal arms trafficking and gun violence pointed out that “high-volume” smuggling from the United States poses “major long-term risks” to public safety.
Additonally, Reuters reported exclusive data showing that 73 percent of all traced firearms involved in crimes in Ontario were sourced from America; this figure increased to 85 percent when looking specifically at handguns.
“Overwhelming evidence shows most crime guns in Ontario are smuggled across the border from our neighbours to the south and not owned by law-abiding gun owners,” Van Dyke said. “Our community expects us to focus on serious and violent crime and repeat offenders because that’s where the real public safety issue lies.”
This view was echoed by a Jan. 26 statement from Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
E ven though they can’t pinpoint exactly how many locally eligible guns exist under this program, police estimate only around 500 might qualify.
B ut calls for service exceeded 33,000 last year with more serious crimes increasing; hence local police currently lack capacity for implementing such a buyback initiative according to Van Dyke.
“Our workload is not diminishing. It is only increasing,” he explained. “We certainly are not staffed at levels needed to handle a program like this.”
D uring an online meeting with officials from federal safety ministry months ago, Van Dyke recalled suggestions about having officers who were temporarily off front-line duty manage collections instead.
“You can’t do that,” he asserted while noting those officers aren’t equipped with force options. “It’s not an option.” T he chief emphasized it should be trained uniformed officers carrying arms who manage firearm collections instead. M oreover, he raised concerns regarding how or whether management software used by this federal program would mesh with current systems along with what extra training could be needed too. A dditionally highlighted were uncertainties surrounding compensation aspects since earlier presentations suggested negotiation would occur individually between each police service and smaller departments might lack leverage compared to larger ones during these talks.
Nationwide, there’s an amnesty period running till Oct. 30 allowing people time surrender affected weapons voluntarily before enforcement actions begin-though how resources will be allocated post-amnesty remains uncertain given already strained judicial workloads.
S imilarly launched recently was six-week pilot project meant collecting illegal firearms taking place starting Sept.23rd Cape Breton N. S., wherein they anticipated gathering about two hundred items yet ultimately managed obtaining just twenty-five instead! “I believe strongly along with my senior leadership team we should opt out entirely from engaging within these programs.” said Chief further adding if adjustments occur down road making participation feasible then they’d surely reassess then accordingly.”
T hough opting out doesn’t mean complete disengagement-the service pledged ongoing collaboration among partners spanning various law enforcement entities alongside all tiers governing public welfare concerning lawful oversight pertaining respective firearm regulations.” M ore details surrounding overarching buyback initiative accessible through website operated federally.”
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“You can’t do that,” he asserted while noting those officers aren’t equipped with force options. “It’s not an option.” T he chief emphasized it should be trained uniformed officers carrying arms who manage firearm collections instead. M oreover, he raised concerns regarding how or whether management software used by this federal program would mesh with current systems along with what extra training could be needed too. A dditionally highlighted were uncertainties surrounding compensation aspects since earlier presentations suggested negotiation would occur individually between each police service and smaller departments might lack leverage compared to larger ones during these talks.
Nationwide, there’s an amnesty period running till Oct. 30 allowing people time surrender affected weapons voluntarily before enforcement actions begin-though how resources will be allocated post-amnesty remains uncertain given already strained judicial workloads.
S imilarly launched recently was six-week pilot project meant collecting illegal firearms taking place starting Sept.23rd Cape Breton N. S., wherein they anticipated gathering about two hundred items yet ultimately managed obtaining just twenty-five instead! “I believe strongly along with my senior leadership team we should opt out entirely from engaging within these programs.” said Chief further adding if adjustments occur down road making participation feasible then they’d surely reassess then accordingly.”
T hough opting out doesn’t mean complete disengagement-the service pledged ongoing collaboration among partners spanning various law enforcement entities alongside all tiers governing public welfare concerning lawful oversight pertaining respective firearm regulations.” M ore details surrounding overarching buyback initiative accessible through website operated federally.”
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