Federal Court Dismisses Lawsuits Against Ottawa’s Firearms Ban

Gun rights advocates had argued that current firearms laws are already robust and that most gun-related crimes are committed with firearms purchased illegally.

Rifles and shotguns on display in an Ottawa hunting store, in a file photo. Jonathan Hayward/CP Photo

The federal court has dismissed multiple lawsuits challenging the Liberal government’s May 2020 decision to ban 1,500 firearms.

The policy had been implemented through an Order-in-Council (OIC) made by cabinet. Justice Catherine Kane said in her Oct. 30 decision that in doing so, the government had not exceeded its authority granted by Parliament.