Guns Banned in Canada: Hunting Rifles or Assault Weapons? You Watch and Decide

The list of guns banned in Canada now includes hundreds of rifles. Supporters call them military-style weapons that threaten public safety. Critics argue many are ordinary hunting rifles caught in a political fight.

Five models stand out in the debate. Each has been linked to campus shootings, mass killings, or ongoing controversy. Their history, design, and video evidence of how they fire raise the question of whether they belong in the field or should be banned outright.

Guns Banned in Canada: Hunting Rifles or Assault Weapons? You Watch and Decide

1. Ruger Mini-14 – From Polytechnique to Nova Scotia

In 1989, a gunman used a Ruger Mini-14 at Montreal’s École Polytechnique to kill 14 women. Decades later, the same rifle appeared in the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage, one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history.

The Mini-14 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in .223 caliber, the same round used in many AR-15s. In Canada, it is limited to five rounds per magazine. It has long been sold as a “ranch rifle” for controlling coyotes or varmints, yet it can also fire rapidly with minimal recoil.

Supporters of the ban argue that its history in attacks against women makes it too dangerous for civilian use. Critics counter that among the guns banned in Canada, the Mini-14 is one of the most disputed because it looks and functions like an ordinary hunting rifle.

2. Beretta Cx4 Storm – Dawson College’s Campus Shooting

In 2006, a gunman carried a Beretta Cx4 Storm into Dawson College in Montreal, killing one student and injuring 19 others.

The Cx4 Storm is a semi-automatic carbine chambered in 9mm pistol ammunition. In Canada, it is restricted to 10-round magazines. Lightweight and easy to handle, it has a futuristic appearance that makes it stand out from traditional rifles.

For supporters of the ban, the Storm represents a tactical-style weapon with no hunting purpose. Critics note that it fires the same ammunition as many handguns and argue that banning it is based more on appearance than function.

3. AR-15 – The School Shooter’s Weapon of Choice

The AR-15 has become the most infamous rifle linked to school shootings. In the U.S., variants were used at Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde. In Canada, an AR-15 variant, the Colt LE6940, was carried during the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks.

This rifle is semi-automatic, chambered in .223/5.56 caliber, and accepts detachable magazines, though Canadian law limits it to five rounds. It is lightweight, accurate, and highly customizable. Military forces worldwide use similar rifles in select-fire versions.

The government describes it as a battlefield weapon that should not be in civilian hands. Within the broader list of guns banned in Canada, the AR-15 is the most internationally recognized symbol of an assault-style rifle. Owners argue that AR-15s were already restricted in Canada to shooting ranges and rarely appeared in crimes before the ban.

4. M14 / M305 – The Military Classic in Civilian Hands

In 2014, a gunman in Moncton, New Brunswick, used an M14 rifle to kill three RCMP officers. The Norinco M305, a low-cost clone of the M14, was especially popular among Canadian hunters.

The M14 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in .308 (7.62 NATO). It is heavier and more powerful than an AR-15, capable of hunting large game such as moose. In Canada, magazines are limited to five rounds.

Supporters of the ban point to its role in the Moncton tragedy and its military origins. Critics argue it is an outdated, heavy rifle that many hunters and sport shooters used responsibly for decades.

5. Vz.58 – The AK’s Twin in Quebec City

In 2017, the Quebec City mosque attacker carried a Vz.58 rifle, which jammed after two shots. Its presence alone tied it permanently to Canada’s gun debate.

The Vz.58 looks like an AK-47 but is mechanically different. It fires 7.62×39mm rounds, common in hunting rifles. In Canada, magazines over five rounds have been illegal since the 1990s, yet supporters of the ban argue larger mags are easy to smuggle across the border.

For officials, its military style and role in a mass shooting justify prohibition. Critics say it works like many hunting rifles and question why it belongs on the list of guns banned in Canada at all.

Why Supporters Say Canada’s Assault-Style Gun Ban Saves Lives

For those in favor, these rifles are tied to Canada’s darkest shootings. They argue that guns designed for fast, repeated fire give attackers an edge that no hunter needs. Survivors of Polytechnique and Dawson College have long called for tighter rules, saying these weapons symbolize threats to women and students.

Supporters also warn that even with five-round magazine limits, smuggled high-capacity magazines are easy to find. That, they say, means the danger is not just theoretical but real.

Hunting Rifles or Political Theatre? What Opponents Claim About the Gun Buyback

Opponents say the ban unfairly targets licensed owners while doing little to stop crime. They point out that most shootings in Canada involve smuggled handguns, not rifles used on farms or at ranges. To them, calling a Mini-14 or an M305 an “assault weapon” is more about optics than function.

Critics argue the buyback spends billions of dollars removing guns banned in Canada that were rarely used in street crime, while smuggling and gang violence continue unchecked. They frame the ban as a symbolic move that punishes people who followed the law while leaving real problems unsolved.

Hunting Rifle or Assault Weapon: Should These Guns Stay Banned in Canada?

After watching the footage, do you believe the guns banned in Canada should stay prohibited, or are they misunderstood hunting rifles? Share your view below 👇

Canada Gun Ban FAQ

What guns are banned in Canada in 2025?

Canada’s buyback program targets hundreds of firearms labeled as assault-style weapons. Some of the most controversial include the Ruger Mini-14, Beretta Cx4 Storm, AR-15, M14/M305, and Vz.58.

Why are some hunting rifles banned in Canada?

Supporters say these rifles are linked to Canada’s worst shootings and argue their rapid-fire design makes them too dangerous. Critics argue many are ordinary hunting rifles banned mainly for how they look.

What is Canada’s gun buyback program?

The buyback requires owners of banned rifles to surrender them for compensation. The government says this reduces public risk, while opponents claim it unfairly punishes licensed owners instead of targeting smuggled guns.