Ban Lifted on CZ and Swiss Arms

The government recently announced a reclassification of two popular sporting rifles, which had been made prohibited due to an RCMP classification.

The CZ 858 and the Swiss Arms Classic Green rifles were initially non-restricted semiautomatic rifles. But the RCMP classified them as prohibited based on their similarities with existing prohibited rifles.

The move was deeply unpopular with owners of the guns, and no compensation was to be offered following their being reclassified. The government promised action and announced an amnesty allowing existing owners to keep their guns without fear of prosecution.

At the end of this past July, the government made these rifles non-restricted using a provision in the recent amendments to Canada’s firearms laws, removing the Swiss Arms and CZ ban which had been in place.

The Canadian Shooting Sports Association provides further details on the welcome change: