Canadian Gun Buyback Program Is Voluntary, but Noncompliance Can Land You in Jail

Canada’s gun buyback program is the kind of government gun grab many American conservatives fear could come to the United States under a Democrat president. Author-generated illustration.

Canada’s federal gun buyback program, officially known as the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP), is in a high-stakes rollout phase. As of early 2026, it has become a flashpoint for legal and political conflict between the federal government, several provinces, and law enforcement agencies.

The program stems from a May 1...