Supreme Court Hears Legal Challenge Against Canada Firearms Ban

The federal government is defending its 2020 ban on assault-style firearms at the Supreme Court of Canada in a high-stakes legal battle. The hearings, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, mark the most significant case at the country's top court this fall, centered on whether Ottawa exceeded its legal authority by using regulatory powers instead of legislation to restrict thousands of firearm models.

Enacted under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, the initial 2020 ban targeted more than 1,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15 and Beretta Cx4 Storm, with the list expanding to over 2,500 varieties by late 2024 and early 2025. Federal officials argue that these weapons are designed for military use and pose severe public safety risks, pointing to past mass shootings in Canada and abroad.

Lower courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of Ottawa. Both the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal previously upheld the regulations, concluding that the federal cabinet acted reasonably in prioritizing public safety and considering the lethality of such weapons. Chief Justice Yves de Montigny wrote in the April 2025 appeal ruling that the cabinet is best situated to weigh public interest considerations regarding gun violence.

However, the ban faces stiff opposition from four separate sets of appellants, numerous gun advocacy groups, and the conservative-led provincial governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Critics argue that the regulations are unconstitutionally vague and infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens, such as hunters, sport shooters, and Indigenous harvesters, who legally owned the property.

Among the self-represented litigants arguing before the nine Supreme Court judges is Christine Generoux, who stated in legal filings that the restrictions severely disrupt recreational sport shooting and hunting. Similarly, the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights argued that Ottawa's actions unfairly target ordinary Canadians rather than addressing the root causes of crime, noting that high-profile shootings typically involve illegal weapons.

While the legal challenges proceed, a continuing amnesty period allows gun owners to surrender, permanently deactivate, or sell their prohibited weapons back to the government. According to federal data from mid-2026, Ottawa has paid businesses approximately $96 million for roughly 74,000 firearms. The current amnesty will remain in effect until 90 days after the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment, which is expected no later than next year.