Trudeau asks Canadian government to study full ban on handguns and assault weapons

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ordered a study of a potential full handgun and assault weapons ban in his country.   

Trudeau ordered Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair to conduct the study with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in a mandate letter, as reported by CBC News.

“You should lead an examination of a full ban on handguns and assault weapons in Canada, while not impeding the lawful use of firearms by Canadians,” the letter stated.

{mosads}The letter also outlines other new assignments, such as forming the government’s plan to deal with asylum seekers who skirt official border points — which the letter calls “irregular migration,” supervising the legalization of marijuana and fighting opioid abuse.

The gun violence issue rose to prominence after a deadly shooting in Toronto in July.

At the time, Trudeau vowed the government would take steps to ensure the public safety, but did not say if that would include a handgun ban.

The shooter used a 0.40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun, which he obtained illegally by allegedly breaking-and-entering into a gun store.

Police have not concluded what the shooter’s motives were. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria claimed credit for the attack shortly after it occurred, though police have said they have “no evidence” that the shooting was linked to the terrorist organization, according to CBC News.