A Saskatoon gun store owner is frustrated to see Canadian gun manufacturers hurt by the federal government’s latest firearm prohibition.
“It’s horrible to see,” said Kevin Kopp, the owner of North Pro Sports.
Kopp has had to clear about $10,000 worth of inventory from his shelves after Ottawa banned 179 additional firearm models it deemed to be too dangerous.
It’s the government’s third major ban since 2020; more than 2,000 makes and models have been outlawed.
“It’s hard to make sense of it when we have one that’s good, this one isn’t — by function they’re the same, but they look different,” Kopp told CTV News.
Kopp said its a shame to see Canadian manufacturers suffer amid a trade war with the United States.
Calgary-based manufacturer Sterling Arms International Inc. once sold five rifles in Canada. Now, it can only sell one.
“It’s a tough spot to be in as we see our market get smaller and smaller,” JR Cox, founder of Sterling Arms, told CTV News.
Fair compensation will be provided to firearm businesses and owners through a buyback program, according to Ottawa.
“We’ve sent in pallets and pallets of guns and we’ve never seen a penny,” Cox said.
“In fact, nobody I know — other manufacturers or dealers — have seen any money.”
The federal government said businesses have until April 30 to apply for compensation under the buyback program.
The program isn’t yet available for individuals.
