The Alberta government introduced a motion under the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act on December 2 that would instruct provincial entities, including law enforcement agencies, to refuse participation in Ottawa's firearms compensation program.

The motion asserts that firearms ownership falls under provincial jurisdiction and violates property rights protected under the Alberta Bill of Rights, according to the order paper released Tuesday.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the federal ban fails to improve public safety and instead punishes law-abiding gun owners.

Premier Danielle Smith announced the plan at the United Conservative Party's annual general meeting over the weekend, where she told delegates that if criminals don't want to get shot, they shouldn't break into someone's house, according to CBC News.

Ottawa prohibited over 2,500 firearm models starting in May 2020 and created a compensation program for owners to turn in their weapons. Owners have until October 30, 2026 to dispose of or deactivate banned firearms or face charges for illegal possession.

Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said provinces preventing citizens from accessing compensation are "really hurting their own people," Snowdon and Pasiuk reported.

Constitutional law expert Gerard Kennedy told CBC News that Alberta can decline to facilitate federal enforcement but cannot overturn the law, and cautioned that prosecutors handling property defence cases should maintain their independence despite government directives.

Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association member Shawn King warned that government messaging around property defence could create dangerous confusion, as the Criminal Code requires defensive force to be reasonable and proportionate.