REGINA — Provisions in The Saskatchewan Firearms Act will come into force today. The Act protects the rights of lawful firearms owners across the province and enhances public safety, according to a government press release.
The new provisions coming into force:
- establish licensing requirements for seizure agents involved in firearms expropriation under new federal laws;
- establish provincial firearms offences that will promote the safe and responsible use of firearms;
- allow the Minister to appoint a Firearms Compensation Committee to determine the fair market value of any firearms, ammunition and related accessories being expropriated by the federal government; and
- allow for designation and approval of firearms testing facilities.
Two additional provisions under the Act are expected to come into force in the coming months - the requirement for payment of fair compensation for any firearms being expropriated by the federal government, and forensic and ballistic testing requirements of those expropriated firearms. These remaining sections will be brought into force after the necessary planning, implementation and regulatory changes are completed to ensure proper oversight.
This legislation will be primarily administered by the Saskatchewan Firearms Office.
