TORONTO - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is promising to ban all military-style assault rifles as part of a broader gun-control plan that will also take steps towards restricting and banning handguns.
Trudeau is making the pledge in Toronto as he tries to get his campaign back on track after apologizing for wearing blackface years ago.
The Liberals also pledge to work with provinces and territories to empower municipalities to further restrict - or ban - handguns.
Trudeau is making the announcement in the city's Greektown neighbourhood, where a gunman killed two people and wounded 13 others last year in a shooting rampage.
Toronto Mayor John Tory is applauding the decision saying the announcement is a "step toward tighter gun control."
"If Liberals form of government and quickly enact these measures, we will explore what a citywide handgun ban would look like, and how it will work to keep Toronto residents safer." Tory said. "We will work with the other governments, particularly the government of Ontario, and residents, on how to best use this new authority if indeed it is given to municipalities"
The federal Liberal party says it will protect the rights of law-abiding hunters and vows not to re-establish the controversial long-gun registry that was scrapped by the previous Conservative government.
The proposal also includes pledges to create a buy-back program for all legally purchased assault rifles and a two-year amnesty while the program is being set up.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2019.
