<h1>Gun Retailers Left in Limbo as Canadian Federal Government Delays Firearm Buyback Program</h1>
<p>The Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA), labeled as the “primary source of information for the industry” by the federal government, is still uncertain about when the retail-banned firearm buyback program will commence. With the amnesty on banned firearms set to expire on October 30th, the president of CSAAA, Wes Winkel, has urged the government to announce an amnesty extension. Winkel believes that even if a date is announced for the buyback, it will not be possible to complete it by the end of October due to the large number of guns involved.</p>
<h2>Phase 1 of Firearms Buyback Program Leaves Gun Retailers in Limbo</h2>
<p>The plan, initially announced in April, is to first conduct a buyback for businesses that currently possess around 1,800 firearms banned by a May 1, 2020 order in council, which was issued following a mass shooting in Portapique, N.S. Then, a buyback for individuals who own these guns will follow. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s spokesperson, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, stated that the government is committed to addressing gun violence and will provide updates on the progress of the buyback program.</p>
<h2>Gun Control Advocates Urge Progress on Gun Control Legislation</h2>
<p>Gun control group PolySeSouvient hopes to see progress on gun control measures and the passage of Bill C-21 once Parliament returns on September 18th. Nathalie Provost, a survivor of the Ecole Polytechnique mass shooting, emphasized the importance of taking action before the upcoming election, stating that the work done in the last eight years of the Liberal mandate would be rendered meaningless if no action is taken. Bill C-21 includes measures such as a national freeze on handgun sales, stricter penalties for gun smuggling, and aims to reduce gun violence. While the bill has been passed by the House of Commons, it is still awaiting approval from the Senate.</p>
<h2>Implementation Challenges for the Buyback Program</h2>
<p>According to CSAAA President Wes Winkel, the implementation of the buyback program is complicated by the modular nature of the firearms included in the cabinet order. He describes them as being similar to a Mr. Potato Head toy, with many pieces that can be changed quickly. Cataloging and pricing these firearms requires expertise to determine what is prohibited and what is not. Meanwhile, prohibited inventory remains on store shelves, with some stores having millions of dollars’ worth. Winkel raises concerns about the potential costs of such a large-scale program for Canadian taxpayers.</p>
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