Canada has put a temporary handgun import ban in place.

This temporary ban means that individuals and businesses will no longer be able to import handguns into Canada, subject to narrow exceptions that mirror those in Bill C-21. These restrictions will take effect on August 19th, 2022, and will last until the national freeze comes into force.

Public safety minister Marco Mendicino says the move comes through a regulatory measure that does not need parliamentary approval.

The federal government says it is part of their plan to tackle gun crime which included a ban on assault-style weapons like AR-15s. The government plans to introduce a buyback program for assault style weapons.