PM brushes off provincial defiance on handgun bans

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalled today the federal government won't let provincial opposition stand in the way of municipalities that want to work with Ottawa to ban handguns.

Trudeau says federal officials will have conversations with municipalities seeking handgun controls even if their provincial leaders oppose such bans.

I'll be introducing a motion asking for a draft bylaw banning handguns in Vancouver once Bill C-21 passes.

I applaud PM @JustinTrudeau for taking action against assault-style weapons & traffickers.

Handguns have no place in cities.#vanpoli #cdnpolihttps://t.co/fMjZwb2N4O

— Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) February 16, 2021

Federal legislation tabled this week would allow municipalities to ban handguns through bylaws restricting their possession, storage and transportation.

The Liberal government says the measures would be backed up with serious penalties to enforce these bylaws, including jail time for people who violate municipal rules.

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart is among the most enthusiastic backers of such an approach.

However, Saskatchewan passed legislation last year forbidding municipalities from banning handguns and Alberta recently expressed opposition to the idea.