Some sections of Saskatchewan Firearms Act now in effect

More than a month after the legislation passed, certain provisions of The Saskatchewan Firearms Act took effect Friday.

The government has said the legislation protects the rights of lawful gun owners in the province and enhances public safety.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to see this legislation come into effect today,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said in a release. “This legislation reflects our commitment to keeping Saskatchewan people and communities safe, while also addressing violent gun crime and promoting responsible firearms ownership in our province.”

The provisions that came into force Friday included:

• Establishing licensing requirements for seizure agents involved in firearms expropriation under new federal laws;
• Establishing provincial firearms offences that will promote the safe and responsible use of firearms;
• Allowing the minister to appoint a Firearms Compensation Committee to determine the fair market value of any firearms, ammunition and related accessories being expropriated by the federal government; and
• Allowing for designation and approval of firearms testing facilities.

The government said two other provisions are expected to take effect in the coming months after the required planning, implementation and regulatory changes are complete.

Those provisions will call for the requirement for payment of fair compensation for any firearms being expropriated by the federal government, and forensic and ballistic testing requirements of those expropriated firearms.

“This legislation, along with our expanded duties and responsibilities, will allow for the implementation of services to law enforcement agencies to greatly increase public safety, while we continue to support the proud heritage of responsible and law-abiding firearms ownership by Saskatchewan residents,” Robert Freberg, the province’s chief firearms officer and firearms commissioner, said in the release.

When the legislation passed, Premier Scott Moe said it was primarily a response to gun laws from Ottawa.

“It’s a responsive act, and it’s an act that will work quite well in protecting those law-abiding firearm owners in our province,” Moe said.

“We feel the federal government is approaching this in the wrong way. They’re going after law-abiding firearm owners.”

On Thursday, the federal government’s gun control bill was passed in the House of Commons and now heads to the Senate.

That legislation includes a ban on assault-style firearms, creates restrictions on handguns, and increases penalties for firearm trafficking. The federal government plans to buy back guns that fall under the ban.