Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he is calling for a ban on “assault rifles” as he faces fallout from reports that he wore black and brownface on multiple occasions prior to becoming a politician.
Trudeau and the Canadian Parliament face an election in October. Trudeau has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015, with the Liberal Party gaining a majority.
“Here’s what we will do to end gun violence. We will ban military-style assault rifles and start a buyback program for all military-grade weapons that were legally purchased. We will work with the provinces and territories to enable municipalities to restrict handguns. That’s what reelected liberal government will do,” Trudeau said on Friday.
Canadian gun laws are stricter than laws in the United States. Much like the U.S., automatic weapons are already banned, but Trudeau is promising if reelected, he will also push to allow cities to be able to ban handguns, according to CBC.
Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We will ban all military-style assault rifles, give municipalities the ability to restrict or ban handguns, and strengthen gun control. pic.twitter.com/NvX0IBtAU5
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 20, 2019
We’re going to ban military-style assault rifles in Canada.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 20, 2019
“People are dying. Families are grieving. Communities are suffering. So we’re going to do more and we’re going to do better. Thoughts and prayers are just not going to cut it. The choice could not be clearer: Liberals are for tougher gun laws, Conservatives are for weaker gun laws,” he added.
In the middle of a campaign, Trudeau has faced heavy criticism after he admitted to wearing blackface or brownface on two occasions. It was then revealed he wore blackface on another occasion. Talking with reporters on Thursday, he was reluctant to say if those were the only times he wore makeup in that manner.
“I am wary of being definitive about this because the recent pictures that came out I had not remembered,” he said. “And I think the question is, ‘How can you not remember that?’ The fact is I didn’t understand how hurtful this is to people who live with discrimination every single day.”
