PolyRemembers, a gun control advocacy group, has renewed its call for an end to the sale of SKS rifles in Canada after a shooting in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges district left three people dead and two others injured on Monday, June 22, 2026. The group argues that the SKS, a semi-automatic rifle originally designed for military use, has been involved in multiple mass shootings in Canada and should be banned to prevent future tragedies.
Details of the shooting
The shooting occurred in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, a densely populated area of Montreal. Police responded to reports of gunfire at around 11:30 a.m. local time. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Samuel Girard, opened fire on a crowded street before being subdued by bystanders and arrested. Three victims were killed at the scene, and two others were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The suspect had no prior criminal record but was described by a neighbor in Lethbridge, Alberta, as an introvert who “avoided people.”
According to police, the weapon used in the shooting was an SKS semi-automatic rifle. The SKS is currently classified as a non-restricted firearm in Canada, meaning it can be purchased with a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and without registration. PolyRemembers noted that this is not the first time an SKS has been used in a mass shooting; the rifle was also used in the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting that killed 22 people, as well as the 2022 Saskatchewan stabbing rampage where the perpetrator used an SKS.
Call for ban
“The SKS has no place in Canadian society,” said PolyRemembers spokesperson Rachel Cohen in a statement. “It is a military-style weapon designed to kill as many people as possible in a short amount of time. We urge the federal government to immediately ban the sale and import of these rifles, just as they did with the AR-15 and other assault-style weapons in 2020.” The group is calling for the SKS to be added to the list of prohibited firearms under the Firearms Act, which currently includes the AR-15, Ruger Mini-14, and other semi-automatic rifles.
The federal government has not yet responded to the call. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office offered few details on a potential policy response, but a spokesperson said the government is “monitoring the situation closely” and will “consider all options to keep Canadians safe.” The Liberal government previously banned over 1,500 models of assault-style weapons in May 2020, but the SKS was not included due to its classification as a “hunting rifle” by some gun advocates.
Political context
The renewed call comes amid a heated debate over gun control in Canada. Conservative MPs have launched a fundraiser for LGBTQ2S+ refugees, but have also opposed further gun restrictions, arguing that they infringe on law-abiding gun owners. The Conservative Party has not commented on the specific call to ban SKS rifles. Meanwhile, the New Democratic Party (NDP) has voiced support for the ban, with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tweeting: “The SKS is a weapon of war. It has no place in our communities. We support PolyRemembers’ call and urge the government to act now.”
PolyRemembers also highlighted that the SKS is widely available in Canada, with thousands of units in circulation. The group estimates that there are over 200,000 SKS rifles in the country, many of which were imported from China and Russia. “Every one of these rifles is a potential tool for mass murder,” Cohen added. “We need to get them off our streets before another tragedy occurs.”
Impact and next steps
The Montreal shooting has reignited calls for stricter gun laws from both advocacy groups and the public. A petition started by PolyRemembers calling for an SKS ban has already garnered over 50,000 signatures. The group plans to deliver the petition to Parliament Hill next week. In addition, several municipal leaders, including Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, have expressed support for the ban. “We cannot allow these weapons to continue circulating in our city,” Plante said in a press conference. “The federal government must act decisively.”
The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR), a gun rights organization, has opposed the ban, arguing that the SKS is a common hunting rifle used by many Canadians. “The SKS is not an assault weapon; it is a semi-automatic rifle used for sport shooting and hunting,” said CCFR spokesperson Mark Smith. “Banning it will do nothing to prevent crime, as criminals do not follow the law.” The debate is expected to intensify as the government considers its next steps.
