The Canadian government is considering using additional personnel, including retired law enforcement officers, to collect firearms as part of its national gun control program following low compliance from gun owners.

During a March parliamentary hearing, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said authorities plan to move forward with firearm collection efforts after the declaration period for affected weapons ends. His remarks came in response to questions from Conservative Member of Parliament Dane Lloyd, who noted that only a small percentage of the estimated firearms subject to the policy had been declared.

The measures stem from legislation known as Bill C-21, introduced in 2022 under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and enacted in December 2023. The law includes a freeze on handgun purchases and a buyback program targeting certain semi-automatic firearms that were previously restricted or banned.

Lloyd raised concerns about enforcement, questioning whether already strained Royal Canadian Mounted Police resources would be redirected toward confiscation efforts amid broader public safety demands. Anandasangaree responded that the plan does not rely on existing personnel, but instead on supplemental resources, including off-duty and retired officers, as well as regional enforcement mechanisms.

The government has framed the effort as part of a broader public safety initiative, while critics argue the policy could expand into large-scale firearm seizures affecting law-abiding owners. Advocacy groups have pointed to the low compliance rate as a sign of resistance among gun owners.

The issue has drawn attention beyond Canada, with U.S.-based organizations weighing in on the policy’s potential implications. The National Rifle Association criticized the approach, arguing it reflects a broader trend toward stricter gun control measures following initial restrictions.

Canada’s actions come as other countries evaluate firearm policies in response to security concerns. In Australia, officials have also discussed expanded gun control measures following a recent terrorist attack, reflecting an ongoing international debate over how governments balance public safety and individual rights.