Ottawa is set to ban a number of assault-style firearms and weapons involved in mass shootings in Canada and abroad, including the Ruger Mini-14 that was used during the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, federal officials say.
The formal announcement of the gun ban is expected by the end of the week, but the key measures have already been approved by cabinet, the officials said.
In addition to the gun ban, according to officials, the government will be putting forward further gun control measures in a coming legislative package.
Along with the Ruger Mini-14, the government will ban the AR-15 and similar types of firearms that have been used in a number of mass shootings in the United States, officials said.
The Globe and Mail is not disclosing the names of the officials because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said earlier this year that the buyback program could come later than the ban.
The AR-15 family of firearms is often in the headlines for tragic reasons; It's commonly used by mass shooters in the United States. »
