February 4, 2026
BCACP Responds to Federal Update on the Assault-Style Firearms Buyback Program
The British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP) is aware that the federal government has released additional details regarding the Assault-Style Firearms Buyback Program.
Police leaders across British Columbia support initiatives that enhance public safety and reduce the presence of prohibited firearms in our communities. BCACP is reviewing the details of the announcement and will assess the operational, resourcing, and implementation implications for police agencies and frontline personnel throughout the province.
Police leaders have consistently identified that the predominant sources of firearm‑related violence in British Columbia involve illegally imported, trafficked, and criminally used firearms. In this context, emphasis has been placed on ensuring that enforcement resources are directed toward addressing the primary drivers of firearm‑related crime. Police services therefore continue to prioritize enforcement and investigative activities that disrupt organized criminal networks and achieve the most immediate and measurable public‑safety outcomes.
BCACP will continue to engage with federal, provincial, and policing partners to ensure implementation approaches are practical, clearly defined, and appropriately resourced. Our priority remains public safety, officer safety, and the effective and efficient use of police capacity across the British Columbia.
Deputy Chief Andrew Chan
President, BC Association of Chiefs of Police