Province takes over Firearms Program

Saskatchewan has taken responsibility for the province’s firearms program with the appointment of its first provincial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO), Robert Freberg.

“This is the culmination of over a year of hard work to move to a provincial firearms program that better represents the needs of Saskatchewan citizens,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said. “We are in very good hands with Mr. Freberg, and we are confident he will do everything in his power to advocate for responsible firearm owners in this province.”

Previous Saskatchewan CFOs were chosen by the federal government. The province decided to move toward provincial oversight in 2020, and has been working with the federal government to transition the program since then.

Freberg was hired in August 2020 as the CFO designate for Saskatchewan.

In his capacity as CFO, Freberg now administers the Firearms Act in Saskatchewan, which includes jurisdiction over the licensing, storage, transportation and carrying of firearms. The position of CFO is also responsible for licensing instructors who provide firearm safety training in the province.

“I have known Saskatchewan gun owners my whole life and I know they stand for safe, responsible, and accountable ownership of firearms,” Freberg said. “It will be an honour to serve them and to advocate for them at the provincial and national level.”

The Government of Saskatchewan continues to oppose the federal government’s firearm control measures, including Bill C-21, which will do little to impact firearm related crime in our province, and unfairly targets law-abiding firearms owners.