Saskatchewan Defends Firearms Owners From Federal Gun Confiscation Scheme

Saskatchewan just built a legislative wall between lawful firearms owners and the Liberal government’s firearms confiscation scheme.

Bill 42, The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025, sends a clear message to the federal government:

Not on our watch.

“Every province but one is not in favour of this gun confiscation,” said Premier Scott Moe.^[i]

The Saskatchewan government responded by passing Bill 42, legislation designed to restrict how and when federal confiscation efforts could operate inside the province.

Bill 42 strengthens the legal and administrative framework and forces the Liberal government’s firearms confiscation scheme to operate under clear rules, real compensation requirements, and measurable public safety standards.

“No one is going to take the guns away in Saskatchewan,” Premier Scott Moe reiterated.^[ii]

Accountability for Gun Confiscations

The most powerful piece of Bill 42 is the “deemed seizure” framework.

Under this framework, if a law removes a person’s right to possess or transfer a firearm and the owner does not receive full compensation within twelve months, that firearm is legally considered seized.

Once that threshold is met, the Government of Canada must provide full fair market value compensation.

This is not theoretical. It’s a direct response to the federal firearm prohibition scheme that removes ownership rights while compensation is delayed or refused outright.

Saskatchewan’s message is simple.

If Ottawa removes property rights, compensation must follow.

“We’re not circumventing the law. We’re using the law,” reiterated McLeod.

“Our regulations clearly state, if you follow these procedures, you are acting on behalf of and for our benefit so we don’t have to safely and securely store your firearm while you wait for compensation.”

And, if the federal government refuses to determine fair value, the provincial firearms commissioner will.

“Firearms are federal jurisdiction but we remain committed to protecting the property rights of law-abiding firearms owners in Saskatchewan,” Commissioner Robert Freberg said.^[iii]

Bill 42 forces federal policy to carry real financial consequences, rather than leaving lawful owners trapped in regulatory limbo.

Building a Provincial Firearms Authority

“Individuals should not be criminalized for having a firearms licence and owning legally-obtained property,” Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO) Commissioner Robert Freberg said.^[iv]

“The real concerns are firearms that have been smuggled in from the United States or those that have been illegally modified for use in gang and illegal drug activities.”

To enforce this “deemed seizure” framework, Bill 42 creates a formal structure:

a Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner,
deputy commissioners, and
assistant commissioners.

All of them can exercise delegated ministerial authority.

This creates a provincial firearms administration that will oversee compensation disputes, inspections, enforcement, and implementation.

The expanded definition of “commissioner” ensures that decisions made by these officials carry the full legal authority of the Minister.

These institutional changes allow the Saskatchewan government to manage how federal firearms policies operate inside its borders.

“Our goal is to help ensure Saskatchewan residents are protected and properly compensated before their property is surrendered by expropriation to the federal government,” Commissioner Freberg said.

These protections rely on Section 117.08 of the Criminal Code, which allows individuals to possess otherwise prohibited firearms when acting on behalf of a government authority or public agency.

Saskatchewan’s approach allows lawful owners to store their own firearms on behalf of the province while compensation disputes are resolved.

A Small Word With Big Consequences

One small amendment reveals the province’s broader strategy.

Bill 42 replaces the word “business” with “person” in a key regulatory provision.

That change expands the reach of provincial authority from commercial entities to all individuals and organizations involved in firearms activities.

By broadening the regulatory scope, Saskatchewan ensures provincial standards apply consistently while closing gaps that previously limited enforcement authority.

Real Oversight Where It Matters

The Liberal government focuses almost entirely on banning categories of firearms.

Saskatchewan’s legislation focuses on real-world oversight.

It creates a formal inspection framework for shooting clubs and shooting ranges.

Firearms officers may inspect facilities, examine firearms and ammunition, review records, and question individuals present to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Obstructing an inspection becomes an offence.

These provisions target the places where firearms training, storage practices, and operational standards can actually be evaluated and improved.

Addressing Genuine Safety Risks

Bill 42 also introduces a medical reporting mechanism that allows health professionals to report individuals who may pose a safety risk if they possess firearms.

If a medical professional believes a licence holder suffers from a condition that makes firearm possession dangerous, they may report that concern to authorities.

The law provides legal immunity for good-faith reporting as well as strong confidentiality protections.

This approach mirrors systems already used to identify drivers who may be medically unfit to operate vehicles.

Unlike many federal measures that focus on firearm appearance or classification, this provision targets actual risk factors involving individuals.

Measurable Public Safety Versus Liberal Political Theatre

“We are standing up for Saskatchewan firearms owners,” Premier Scott Moe wrote on Facebook.^[v]

“Rather than targeting responsible firearms owners, we believe the federal government should focus on the real issue: illegal firearms and smuggling.”

“So, you can keep your firearms until such time there is actually an assessment made and they can be turned in which is years, and years, and years down the way,” said Premier Moe.^[vi]

“[The federal government has] to provide fair market value, and until they do you can continue to store your own firearm if you are storing it in a safe and appropriate way. In a safe and secure way,” said Minister of Justice Tim McLeod.^[vii]

Bill 42 reveals the contrast between Saskatchewan’s firearms regulatory philosophy and that of the current Liberal government.

Mark Carney perpetuates Justin Trudeau’s focus on banning firearms for symbolic political points.

Saskatchewan’s amendments to its provincial Firearms Act focus on compensation for stripped rights, oversight of lawful firearms-related activities, safety training standards, and medical risk reporting.

The Liberal government’s approach prioritizes political messaging.

Saskatchewan’s approach prioritizes safety and accountability.

Bill 42 does not attempt to overturn federal firearms law.

Bill 42 ensures that federal laws can’t be implemented inside Saskatchewan without real transparency, full compensation, and oversight.

That shift matters.

For the national firearms debate, it matters even more.

Saskatchewan’s approach proves that the choice is not, “Do we choose public safety or responsible firearms ownership?”

The real question is, “How do we protect lawful firearms owners while increasing public safety?”

Saskatchewan is proving that provinces do not have to choose between public safety and responsible firearms ownership.

They can protect both.

And they can insist that federal firearms policy deliver real safety results instead of political theatre.

If you live outside of Saskatchewan, encourage your provincial government to implement its version of The Saskatchewan Firearms Act.