Canada's federal gun buyback program, officially known as the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP), is in a high-stakes rollout phase. As of early 2026, it has become a flashpoint for legal and political conflict between the federal government, several provinces, and law enforcement agencies.

The program stems from a May 1, 2020 Order-in-Council that prohibited approximately 1,500 models of what the government labeled "assault-style" firearms. That list was expanded in late 2024 and early 2025 to include roughly 2,500 makes and models.

The ban targets firearms such as the AR-15, Ruger Mini-14, M14, and various modern semi-automatic rifles. It also includes so-called heavy firearms with a bore diameter of 20 millimeters or greater or muzzle energy exceeding 10,000 joules. While the bore restriction does not apply to shotguns, the energy threshold captures several high-end "dangerous game" rifles used for hunting elephants or buffalo. For example, the .460 Weatherby Magnum can exceed 11,000 joules, making it technically prohibited.