Skip to Main content

6.82°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Dec 15, 2023 4:53 PM - The Canadian Press

Senate passes Liberal bill that enshrines handgun freeze, targets ghost guns

Share On

senate-passes-liberal-bill-that-enshrines-handgun-freeze-targets-ghost-guns

The legislation also includes a ban on assault-style firearms that fall under a new technical definition. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Senators have passed a government bill that cements restrictions on handguns, increases penalties for firearm trafficking and aims to curb homemade ghost guns.

The legislation also includes a ban on assault-style firearms that fall under a new technical definition.

Senators voted 60 to 24 in favour of the bill at third reading today. Upon introducing the bill last year, the Liberals announced a plan to implement a freeze on importing, buying, selling or otherwise transferring handguns to help reduce firearm-related violence.

Federal regulations aimed at capping the number of handguns in Canada are now in effect, and the bill contains provisions that would reinforce the freeze. The legislation also ushers in new measures to keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers and increases maximum penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking to 14 years from 10.

Latest news

one-person-killed-in-tractor-trailer-collision-on-highway-1-near-lytton

One person killed in tractor-trailer collision on Highway 1 near Lytton

A man has died following a collision between two transport trucks on Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon, a stretch of roadway heavily used by commercial drivers moving goods through British Columbia. The crash happened Monday morning on Tank Hill Bridge, north of Lytton, and is now the focus of a police investigation into whether criminal driving behaviour may have contributed. BC Highway Patrol says the collision occurred shortly before 9 a.m. when a northbound Kenworth truck hauling two empty flat-deck trailers struck a southbound Volvo pulling two enclosed trailers. The 49-year-old Volvo driver

new-westminster-police-respond-to-three-pedestrian-collisions-in-three-days

New Westminster police respond to three pedestrian collisions in three days

New Westminster police are urging drivers and pedestrians to take extra care after officers were called to three separate collisions involving people on foot over a three day period. The incidents, which occurred between November 22 and November 24, came at a time when shorter daylight hours are already increasing safety risks on city streets. The first collision was reported on November 22 in the 500 block of 6th Street, where a man told 9-1-1 he had been struck by a vehicle. Emergency crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services and BC Emergency Health Services assessed the victim, wh

pedestrian-dies-after-collision-on-vedder-road-in-chilliwack

Pedestrian dies after collision on Vedder Road in Chilliwack

A woman has died after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing Vedder Road in Chilliwack on Tuesday afternoon. RCMP say the collision happened around 4:20 p.m. in a busy stretch of the roadway between the Highway 1 overpass and Luckakuck Way, an area often used by commuters and nearby commercial traffic. Investigators report that the 63-year-old pedestrian had crossed into the centre median before stepping back into the southbound lane, where she was hit by a 2007 GMC Sierra driven by a 63-year-old man. Police say the driver and several witnesses stopped immediately and attempted first a

punjab-raises-sugarcane-procurement-price-by-15-rupees-ahead-of-crushing-season

IndiaNov 26, 2025

Punjab raises sugarcane procurement price by 15 rupees ahead of crushing season

The Punjab government has increased the state procurement price for sugarcane by 15 rupees per quintal, bringing the new rate to 416 rupees. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the inauguration of a new sugar mill in Dinnanagar. The Chief Minister said Punjab now offers the highest state-advised price for cane farmers in the country. Haryana has set its rate at 415 rupees per quintal for the current season, creating a narrow but notable difference between the two neighbouring states. Farm groups in Punjab have been pressing for higher returns as input costs continu

winter-to-arrive-early-across-canada-weather-network-forecasts-colder-december

CanadaNov 26, 2025

Winter to Arrive Early Across Canada, Weather Network Forecasts Colder December

Canada is expected to see an early and sharp onset of winter this year, with frigid Arctic air pushing temperatures below seasonal averages, according to the Weather Network’s seasonal forecast. The outlook, covering December through February, also predicts near or above normal snowfall and precipitation across much of the country. Meteorologist Doug Gillham said there is still some uncertainty about whether the coldest periods will affect the entire country or remain concentrated in Western Canada. Regardless, he called it a “December to remember,” noting that the forecast does not poin

Related News

Winter to Arrive Early Across Canada, Weather Network Forecasts Colder December

Winter to Arrive Early Across Canada, Weather Network Forecasts Colder December

Canada is expected to see an early and sharp onset of winter this year, with frigid Arctic air pushing temperatures below seasonal averages, according to the Weather Network’s seasonal forecast. The outlook, covering December through February, also predicts near or above normal snowfall and precipitation across much of the country. Meteorologist Doug Gillham said there is still some uncertainty about whether the coldest periods will affect the entire country or remain concentrated in Western Canada. Regardless, he called it a “December to remember,” noting that the forecast does not poin

Ottawa preparing new measures to shore up Canada’s steel sector facing U.S. tariff pressures

Ottawa preparing new measures to shore up Canada’s steel sector facing U.S. tariff pressures

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to introduce a package of federal supports aimed at stabilizing Canada’s steel industry as companies continue to absorb the economic impact of steep U.S. tariffs. A federal official, speaking to The Canadian Press, said the measures are designed to protect domestic producers while keeping national supply chains functioning. According to the official, the federal government plans to restrict steel imports from countries without free-trade agreements with Canada. Those import levels would be reduced from 50 per cent to 20 per cent of what entered the coun

Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital