Hashim Akbar, a 23-year-old vice-president of the Simon Fraser Sports Shooting Club in Burnaby, B.C., shared his childhood experience of shooting his grandfather’s gun in Pakistan, finding it both scary and exciting. Akbar, a university student, developed a passion for skeet shooting as a teen and now owns a lever-action rifle. He applied for a gun license in October, joining the 7,446 Canadians under 30 who did so in 2024. However, the firearms he desired were later prohibited by the federal government.
Canada has implemented bans on over 2,000 firearm models since 2020 in response to concerns surrounding domestic violence, violent street crimes, and tragic events like the Nova Scotia mass shooting in 2020 and the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal in 1989. Despite these bans, there has been a significant increase in gun license applications, particularly among young males.
Data from the RCMP shows an 11% rise in gun license applications among individuals aged 10 to 19 between 2023 and 2024, with a total of 9,654 males and 1,778 females registered. This surge in gun ownership has led to a situation where many of the country’s newest gun owners are also potential new voters, with some seeking political leaders who may ease gun laws.
The increase in gun ownership among young males has raised concerns about the influence of U.S.-style gun culture and negative perceptions of masculinity being imported into Canada. Applications for gun licenses have also increased among individuals aged 20 to 29 and those aged 30 and older, resulting in nearly 60,000 new gun owners last year, with about 7,500 of them under 30 years old.
Minors aged 12 to 17 can obtain a minor’s firearms license after completing safety courses and tests as per the Firearms Act. Exceptions exist for children under 12, such as Indigenous minors hunting for sustenance, who can use guns under adult supervision without a license, common in activities like cadet training.
Blair Hagen, executive vice-president of Canada’s National Firearms Association, expressed disappointment over gun bans affecting young Canadians and recent immigrants seeking to enjoy their rights. He highlighted that registered gun owners are seldom involved in violent gun crimes, according to Statistics Canada.
In another instance, Calgary gun range owner James Bachynsky noted that bans have impacted gun businesses and customer sentiments about government restrictions. The allure of firearms among young individuals has been attributed to the taboo effect, generating heightened interest.
Young gun enthusiasts like 13-year-old Jayden Gagnon from Calgary, who tried shooting a Glock 19X pistol under supervision, expressed feelings of empowerment and protection. University students Hashim Akbar and David Chen, new gun owners, shared concerns about sweeping gun bans and potential restrictions on their firearms.
Amidst these shifts in gun ownership trends, sociologists warn of a growing conservative sentiment among young men, partly fueled by social media messages on masculinity and power linked to guns and physical strength. The upcoming federal election may see gun-related issues influencing voter preferences, with differing stances on gun control between political parties.
While the Liberal government aims to tighten gun laws, including a ban on assault-style weapons, the Conservatives have proposed rolling back controls on certain firearms. Wendy Cukier, co-founder of the Coalition for Gun Control, emphasized the importance of stronger gun regulations and expressed concerns about adopting U.S.-style gun rights rhetoric in Canada.
