Liberal Gun Control Bill to Become Law After Passing Senate

It includes a red flag provision, which allows people to flag concerns about someone’s gun ownership if they believe it poses a risk to themselves or others.

Semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. The Canadian Press/AP-Elaine Thompson

The Senate has voted 60–24 to pass Bill C-21, legislation that cements handgun restrictions, increases penalties on firearms traffickers, and implements new “red flag” provisions.

Bill C-21 aims to ban guns that fall under a new technical definition of “assault-style” firearms. Such guns are semi-automatic, with centre-fire ammunition, and are designed to hold a magazine of six or more cartridges. The ban would only apply to such firearms manufactured after the bill comes into force.