Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod expressed disappointment that the federal government is continuing to proceed with the gun buyback program.

In a news release the province says over the weekend, the federal government announced the opening of its firearms buyback program for individual firearms owners. While the federal government is asking individuals to register in the program to indicate their interest in receiving compensation, the province says they confirmed that registering in the system will not guarantee compensation for affected firearms owners.

There are more than 2,500 firearms that have been identified by the federal government for the program.

McLeod said, “This program will not remove the street weapons that are being used by criminals.” He suggests that instead the program targets law-abiding firearms owners.

He notes that the Saskatchewan Firearms Act was introduced to help ensure affected firearms owners receive compensation for their legally obtained property that is now prohibited by federal firearms legislation.

In the coming weeks, an online portal will be launched by the Government of Saskatchewan to provide appraisals for all firearms, ammunition and accessories impacted by federal legislation.