After a School Shooting, Here’s How Canada’s Gun Laws Work

At least eight people were killed and dozens injured in a school shooting at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, according to authorities.

Police identified the suspect as an 18-year-old former student who had previously drawn police attention due to mental health concerns. Most of the victims were children, including students aged 12 and 13, and one injured child remains in critical condition.

The incident has prompted renewed attention on Canada’s firearm laws and how they compare internationally. Canada has stricter gun regulations than the United States, including mandatory background checks before obtaining a firearm license.

National data shows that in 2023, firearms were involved in 38% of homicides in Canada, compared with 76% in the United States. Estimates also suggest civilian gun ownership differs significantly between the two countries, with about 35 firearms per 100 people in Canada compared with 121 per 100 in the U.S.

Canadian gun laws were expanded in 2022, and officials continue to track firearm licensing and ownership through national reporting systems.