Too early to say if City of Lethbridge would consider gun control bylaw

Feb 16, 2021 | 2:22 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge City Council will keep a close eye on a newly-proposed piece of legislation from the federal government.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday a new bill that would allow municipalities to ban handguns by restricting their possession, storage, and transportation.

If approved in Parliament, local governments would have the ability to create and enforce these regulations through bylaws.

LNN reached out to the City of Lethbridge to get its take on the proposed legislation.

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“Given this has the potential to allow municipalities to possibly pass bylaws restricting the possession, storage, or transportation of these weapons, it will certainly be something we continue to watch.”

“Until the bill is passed and further program details are announced, it is too early to identify what this may look like at the municipal level.”

That is the component of the Liberals’ bill that would impact municipalities directly.

It would also introduce a buyback program for recently-banned firearms that the government considers “assault-style weapons.”

The bill would increase criminal penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking, while enhancing the capacity of police and border officials to keep illegal firearms out of the country.

by David Opinko