The federal government says gun owners have declared more than 67,000 recently designated prohibited firearms to receive compensation.
Gun owners had until March 31 to fill a declaration as part of the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, which is opposed by some provinces including Alberta and Saskatchewan. Public Safety Canada says 37,869 firearms owners across Canada have participated in the program.
The program has fallen short of its initial objective, amid provinces and police forces across the country refusing to participate.
The federal government had budgeted $248.6 million in compensation for firearms turned in under the program, which it had said would cover roughly 136,000 guns, with payout amounts for firearms and firearm parts ranging from $150 to $9,945….