A federal report suggests a government gun grab on “assault style” firearms to be enforced from October 30 by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s department will be a costly failure.Few gun owners trust the government, it said, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. “The program’s success is dependent on firearm owners’ awareness and understanding of the program and how it works along with positive perceptions about the program and why it makes sense from the perspective of public safety,” said the report. “The Government of Canada believes it is unlikely to be the most trusted messenger with individuals who own assault-style firearms. As such the program faces a risk of non-compliance.”.Cost of federal gun grab hits $342.6 million amid data concerns .The conclusion is drawn in a Privy Council Office report, Understanding Firearms Owners. The Privy Council paid $99,977 to Ekos Research Associates, an Ottawa pollster, to distribute questionnaires to 1,712 gun owners nationwide.Only 15% of owners surveyed said they were subject to the gun grab. However a majority of all owners, 57%, opposed the program.Asked, “How likely if at all do you think affected firearm owners are to participate in the buy-back program?” 67% replied “not likely.” The rate was as high as 71% in Alberta and Saskatchewan.The Department of Public Safety has budgeted $342.6 million to collect some 180,000 “assault-style” firearms with compensation paid to lawful owners. The Budget Office has estimated costs would double to $756 million.“There remain too many outstanding questions,” said a 2021 analysts’ report on the cost estimate of the Firearm Buy-Back Program..Liberals gun grab ‘on track’ to begin this fall.Understanding Firearms Owners said the typical owner had one or two firearms, owned guns for 10 years or more and went shooting less than once a month. A quarter, 24%, said they used their firearm “once a year or less.” The most frequent activities were hunting. Nearly half, 45%, said they kept firearms for “sentimental reasons.”Asked, “How did you obtain your firearms?” 42% said they inherited them from a family member. A majority, 83%, said they kept their federal permits up to date. A majority added they followed all regulations on safe storage.Asked if they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “Owning a firearm is a privilege not a right,” 33% disagreed. Asked if they agreed that “owning a firearm creates a safety risk for myself or others,” 76% disagreed.Nearly half, 48t, agreed that “being a firearm owner is an important part of my identity.” The rate was 56% in Alberta, 54% in Saskatchewan, 53% in Atlantic Canada, 51% in Manitoba and 50% in Ontario.A majority, 84%, agreed that “firearms violence is almost always caused by criminals or those in illegal possession of a firearm.” A total 78% agreed that “legal firearm owners are unfairly targeted by firearms regulations and policies.”Sixty-three percent said they distrusted the federal government “to maintain public safety.” Asked what factors would “motivate you to dispose of these firearms,” only 25% mentioned “wanting to comply with the law.”
