In a recent tweet, the Prime Minister of Canada made several statements about the country’s gun control measures and allegations about the Conservative Party’s relationship with the gun lobby. Here’s our Fact Check on these claims:
Claim 1: Ban on 1,500+ Assault-Style Firearms
The Prime Minister claimed that his government has banned more than 1,500 types of assault-style firearms. Our investigation found this to be true. In 2020, the Government of Canada indeed banned the use, sale, or import of 1,500 assault-style firearms, making a significant move in gun control in the country1.
Claim 2: National Freeze on Handguns
The tweet also stated that a national freeze on handguns had been implemented. We found this claim to be accurate. The federal government has implemented a national “freeze” on the sale, purchase, and transfer of handguns as part of Ottawa’s plan to limit access to firearms2.
Claim 3: Canada’s Strongest Gun Control Legislation in a Generation
According to the Prime Minister, his government has introduced the strongest gun control legislation in a generation. Our research confirms this claim. In May 2023, the Government of Canada announced its intent to bring forward a suite of strengthened measures to protect Canadians from gun violence, marking a significant step in gun control legislation3.
Claim 4: Continued Actions to Keep Communities Safe
The Prime Minister asserted that his government will continue to take necessary actions to keep communities safe. Our investigation found this claim to be accurate. Public Safety Canada has plans to continue working with stakeholders to advance legislation, regulations, policies, and programs related to gun control in 2023-244.
Claim 5: Conservatives Working with Gun Lobby to Weaken Gun Control
The most controversial claim in the tweet was that Conservative politicians work with the gun lobby to weaken gun control. Our research found this claim to be mostly false. While there are accusations and evidence of past connections between Conservative politicians and gun lobby groups, the current Conservative leadership has publicly stated they would maintain the existing gun restrictions. The evidence supporting the claim is largely based on partisan statements and does not provide a complete or unbiased view of the situation5.
Overall Verdict: Partially True
While the Prime Minister’s claims about his government’s actions on gun control are accurate, the claim about Conservative politicians is not fully supported by the available evidence. This highlights the importance of carefully examining political statements, especially those that involve accusations against opposing parties.
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