By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
The Chatham-Kent police will not be participating in the federal government’s assault-style weapons buyback program.
According to a media release from the Chatham-Kent Police Service, the decision was reached in conjunction with the police services board after “carefully” reviewing the initiative.
“The decision reflects CKPS’s commitment to ensure that organizational resources remain focused on priorities and initiatives that most effectively enhance public safety and support the well-being of the residents of Chatham-Kent,” the release stated.
CKPS police services board member Mayor Darrin Canniff told The Voice the decision was based on logistics, noting the operational resources required to participate weren’t worth it.
“From a cost benefit analysis, it just wasn’t cutting it,” Canniff said.
CKPS joins many other Ontario police agencies, including Toronto, the OPP, Brantford and Sarnia, who aren’t taking part in the buyback.
However, in the release, CKPS states it acknowledges the federal government’s continued efforts to address gun violence and remains committed to maintaining strong relationships with federal and provincial partners and other law enforcement agencies to combat illicit firearms.
Since 2020, Ottawa has banned around 2,500 different models of what the federal government terms “assault-style” firearms, saying they are designed for warfare – not hunting and sport shooting.
However, the program has received pushback from Conservatives and groups devoted to firearm rights.
In its first week in January, 22,000 banned firearms were turned in for financial compensation.
Local gunowners who want to take part in the program are encouraged to find out more online through the Public Safety Canada website.
