Halifax Regional Police participate in Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program

Halifax Regional Police has signed an agreement with the federal government to participate in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program.

The federal government has recently prohibited over 2,500 makes and models of Assault Style Firearms. These firearms were previously available in the Canadian market to lawful and licenced gun owners. Now that these firearms are prohibited, the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program allows gunowners to declare their prohibited firearm and receive payment for their disposal or deactivation.

Gunowners must declare their intent to participate in the compensation program by March 31, 2026. Following the declaration period, eligible participants will be able to schedule an appointment for the collection of their firearms by the Halifax Regional Police in the Spring. Compensation will be coordinated and administered by the federal government.

While participation in the program is voluntary, all gunowners who do not participate in the program must dispose of or permanently deactivate their prohibited firearms before October 30, 2026. Owners in possession of a prohibited firearm following this date could face the loss of their possession and acquisition licence, as well as criminal liability.

Halifax Regional Police's participation in this program is funded by the federal government. All participating officers will be working on overtime shifts paid for by the federal government. This format ensures there will be no impact to front-line or investigative policing.

For more information on the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, visit: Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program - Canada.ca

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Statement from Chief MacLean:

There are varying opinions on the federal government's Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program so I would like to share more about Halifax Regional Police's participation.

The federal government has recently prohibited over 2,500 makes and models of Assault Style Firearms. I understand that most of these firearms were purchased lawfully and by licenced gun owners, but on October 30^th, 2026, they will be illegal across Canada.

Halifax Regional Police's participation in the program ensures owners have a safe and responsible way to dispose of these firearms ahead of the deadline. And by participating in the program, HRM gunowners will be compensated by the federal government.

This program is not about criminalizing gunowners. It's about ensuring people have the support they need to comply with new federal laws.

I also want to be clear on my own personal position. While I know most gunowners do not have a malicious intent to misuse their firearm, I do believe our city would benefit from having fewer guns in communities - to reduce the chance that they can be misused, stolen, or diverted into criminal activity.

We can't ignore the reality - Nova Scotia is responding to an intimate partner violence epidemic. And some of the most tragic examples of gun violence in our province were incidents of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse.

As Police Chief, I believe I have a duty to victims, survivors and all citizens in HRM to support any initiative that can reduce the presence of firearms in our communities.

I don't believe this program alone will end gun violence, intimate partner violence or domestic abuse. We will continue to work with all levels of government and community organizations on a multifaceted approach to combat all three issues.

I respect that people may disagree with the firearms prohibition or the compensation program. But, now is not the time for Halifax Regional Police to turn away from an opportunity to help reduce the number of firearms in our communities.

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