Alberta government pushing back on federal gun buy-back program

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a motion will be introduced in the legislature to allow the province to push back against the federal gun buyback program.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her government will be introducing a motion that pushes back on Ottawa’s gun buy-back program.

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Smith made the announcement at the United Conservative Party’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) over the weekend.

If passed, Alberta will instruct all provincial entities, including municipalities and police agencies, to refuse to enforce or prosecute under the federal gun seizure program.

“The Sovereignty Act motion will also make it clear that these agencies will not enforce or prosecute Albertans defending their homes and families from intruders,” said Smith at the AGM.

“I got a little tip for low-life criminals out there: If you don’t want to get shot, don’t break into someone’s house. It’s really that simple, isn’t it?”

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said while the province does not direct law enforcement but it does set their priorities.

“Lawful firearms owners are not the problem … This is why our position is being supported by our friends in Ontario and Saskatchewan among other provinces,” said Ellis. “We’re not interested in utilizing the limited police resources we have on a gun buy-back program.”

Should a provincial law be put in place impeding or limiting the buy-back, those who participated in the declaration would not be directed to the next step of submitting a claim and scheduling an appointment.

“They would have to export, deactivate or turn prohibited weapon into police without compensation before the end of the amnesty periods or risk criminal liability, including for illegal possession,” said a statement from Public Safety Canada.

Duane Bratt, a political science professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said the legislation could interfere with the judicial system.

“What about a police officer who ignores that and charges someone? Do they get fired? What about a Crown prosecutor who lays charges? Do they get fired?” Bratt told CTV News Edmonton.

“We already have self defense laws in this country, what we don’t have is self defense of the property,” Bratt continued. “This idea that if you believe someone is breaking into your car or barn or garage, that you can go and shoot them – the police couldn’t do that, why should an individual have the ability?”

The province will be introducing its legislation on firearms use Tuesday afternoon.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa