The Government of Saskatchewan introduced some changes to the Saskatchewan Firearms Act on Tuesday.

The amendments are a clap back at the federal government’s decision to move forward with its national buyback program, which will take over 2,500 firearms models reclassified as prohibited by federal legislation since 2020.

The proposed changes suggest that anyone who seizes a firearm under the new federal firearms laws must pay the owner fair market value as determined by the Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner.

Firearms will be deemed to be as “seized” in Saskatchewan if both the firearm is impacted by federal firearms legislation or bans and the owner does not receive fair market compensation within 12 months of the federal legislation or ban coming into effect.

The Province says, “Under the federal government’s buyback program, funding available to gun owners will be capped at $742 million and compensation will be offered on a “first-come, first-served” approach, with no guarantees of compensation once the funding cap is reached.”

To further ensure all affected Saskatchewan firearms owners receive adequate compensation for their losses, the Province says an online portal will soon be launched to provide appraisals for all firearms, ammunition and accessories impacted by federal legislation.