EDMONTON — Alberta says it will introduce a motion under the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act to prevent provincial agencies from enforcing the federal gun seizure program and to affirm the rights of Albertans to use reasonable force to defend themselves in their homes.
The motion, if passed, would direct all provincial entities, including municipal police services and the RCMP, to refuse participation in federal firearms confiscation efforts. The province says the motion also reinforces the principle of lawful self-defence, arguing residents should not fear legal consequences when responding to intruders.
Premier Danielle Smith said the federal program targets responsible gun owners instead of addressing illegal firearms entering the country. “It’s time for Ottawa to stop targeting the wrong people. Albertans have the right to protect their homes and their families. No one should hesitate to defend themselves when faced with a threat at their own doorway. Alberta will not stand by while responsible gun owners are treated like criminals,” she said.
The province has already created its own firearms regulatory framework, including establishing the Alberta Chief Firearms Office and passing the Alberta Firearms Act. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the motion provides clarity for homeowners. “When someone breaks into your home, the law recognizes you have enhanced rights to protect yourself and your family. Alberta is making that principle unmistakably clear,” he said.
Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said federal efforts focus on the wrong targets. “Law-abiding gun owners have never been an issue in my experience. Illegal guns used by criminals are typically smuggled from the United States. The federal government should help us strengthen the border instead of going after lawful gun owners,” he said.
Alberta Chief Firearms Officer Teri Bryant welcomed the motion, citing the impact of federal prohibitions on legal firearm users and businesses. She said federal restrictions have had “no discernible effect on criminal activity.” Tracey Wilson of the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights said the move signals support for licensed owners, while the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association said education remains central to public safety.
The province notes prosecutors have already been instructed to decline charges linked to the gun seizure program or to home defence incidents when not in the public interest. Alberta says federal spending on the national compensation program is expected to exceed $750 million and argues provincial oversight is necessary to protect lawful owners and safeguard provincial jurisdiction.
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