Federal gun drop off held in Terrace

The event was part of Canada's assault weapon buyback program

Federal gun drop off held in Terrace Published 2:46 pm Thursday, July 16, 2026 The federal government’s assault-style weapons buyback program reached into northwestern BC July 11-12 with a pop-up collection point in the parking lot of the Terrace RCMP detachment. The drop off was only for those who had made previous arrangements through a federal website where they first declared they possessed assault-style weapons now prohibited by the federal government.

“Individuals are invited to set an appointment based on the collection activity serving their area. Depending on the jurisdiction this may be via a mobile collection unit site, as was set up in Terrace, or at a participating police detachment,” indicated explanatory information provided by the federal Public Safety Canada department. The drop off was not publicized as it was meant only for those who had made prior arrangements.

But motorists, pedestrians and others passing by the Terrace RCMP detachment would have noticed a signboard saying ‘firearms drop off’ in both French and English at the Eby Street entrance to the detachment. A semi-trailer was placed in the parking lot and beside it a tent in case of bad weather. A yellow construction site-style safety fence surrounded the tent.

Those with prohibited weapons had until March 31, 2026 to declare possession with drop off locations being set up at select locations in B.C. from this spring into early fall. “Collection for compensation will be done efficiently, with specific timelines established for each participating region of Canada,” said Public Safety Canada. Citing security reasons, Public Safety Canada did not release the numbers or makes of weapons turned in at the Terrace location.

The collection follows the federal government’s strengthening of gun control including prohibiting more than 2,500 makes and models considered assault-style firearms. “These firearms are characterized by their tactical/military design and their capability of inflicting significant harm given the degree to which they can increase the severity of mass shootings,” Public Safety Canada indicated. “The significant risk that these firearms pose to public safety outweighs any justification for their continued use and availability in Canada.”

“Some of the firearms were prohibited as they have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability, are of modern design, and are present in large volumes in the Canadian market,” the department added. Compensation ranges from $400 to $700 per weapon and is provided through a $742.5 million buyback program budget. By the end of the declaration period of March 31, 2026 for individuals, 68,717 assault-style firearms were declared across Canada.

British Columbia declarations numbered 15,832.