The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding the Newfoundland and Labrador government for refusing to participate in the federal government’s gun confiscation program.

“The Wakeham government is right to reject Prime Minister Mark Carney’s expensive and pointless gun confiscation scheme,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director and General Counsel. “Law-enforcement experts have clearly stated that confiscating firearms from licensed, law-abiding citizens won’t make communities safer, but it will cost taxpayers millions.”

Premier Tony Wakeham joins other provincial politicians in opposing the federal program, including the premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories. The CTF called on Wakeham to disavow the program earlier this month.

The federal program is intended to enforce Ottawa’s ban on more than 2,500 models of firearms, all of which are legally owned by Canadians who had passed background checks and safety training.

The National Police Federation, representing RCMP officers, has warned that Ottawa’s program diverts critical resources away from tackling the criminal use of illegal firearms. Police associations and academics across the country have also repeatedly said the confiscation program will not make Canadians safer.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that compensation for confiscated firearms could cost $756 million. Once administrative and enforcement costs are factored in, experts warn the total could climb to more than $6 billion.

By comparison, the federal long-gun registry was originally projected to cost $2 million, but ultimately costs exceeded $2 billion.

“The federal government has a long history of wasting money on ineffective gun control programs,” said Drover. “Wakeham is right to stand up to Ottawa and focus on real solutions to crime instead of expensive political theatre."