Kelly Pierce enjoys using her Plainfield Machine M1 Carbine firearm for recreational target practice at a range in Yellowknife. However, this particular firearm is among those banned in Canada and included in a federal gun buyback initiative. In order to comply with the law, gun owners like Pierce must dispose of or permanently deactivate their assault-style firearms by October 30 to avoid legal repercussions.
The federal buyback program in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) presents challenges as the territorial government has stated it will not oversee the program. Consequently, gun owners, including Pierce, are left without clear guidance on how to proceed. The N.W.T. government’s recent announcement also mentioned that the RCMP in the territory will not participate in the program.
Due to logistical hurdles and a shortage of local service providers, gun owners in the N.W.T. will have the option to utilize mailed return kits provided by Public Safety Canada. The government hinted at other collection methods tailored to northern communities but did not elaborate on these alternatives.
Pierce expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on how to return her firearm via mail. Meanwhile, Jonathan Rocheleau, president of the Yellowknife Shooting Club, highlighted the existing difficulties in returning firearms in the N.W.T., emphasizing the importance of facilitating the disposal process to prevent potential safety hazards.
Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina criticized the federal program at a recent assembly, questioning the imposition of additional restrictions on community members. The N.W.T. government called for improved communication between federal and Indigenous governments in the territory regarding the buyback program.
Despite these challenges, the federal buyback program aims to remove assault-style firearms from communities without restricting hunting or sport shooting activities, as clarified by a spokesperson for N.W.T. MP Rebecca Alty’s office.