Carney points to federal review when asked about restricting access to SKS rifle

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed on Thursday that the federal government plans to review the recommendations of an independent panel examining firearms classification before deciding on the future of the SKS rifle. Prime Minister Carney made this announcement following an FBI complaint filed in a Washington state court, which alleged the perpetrator of the Tumbler Ridge, B.C. mass shooting, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had discussed possessing an SKS rifle and a "switch" for converting it into a machine gun.

Eighteen-year-old Van Rootselaar shot and killed eight individuals before taking his own life on February 10. The federal government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of Canada's firearms classification system, which will include consultations on the SKS rifle. During an event in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Prime Minister Carney emphasized that the government requires expert input and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's guidance before making further decisions regarding firearms classification.

Critics of the government, particularly gun control advocates, have accused it of neglecting the semi-automatic SKS rifle by not including it in its list of banned firearms. The Canadian Press reported this story on October 8, 2026.