When did Canada ban firearm suppressors/silencers/sound moderators?

[u/Noah_S_Schwartz]

Hi all. I am a researcher who does work on Firearms Policy. I am working on a policy paper to advocate for legalizing suppressors (as is the case in New Zealand, the UK, and most of Canada's peer countries in Europe).

I'm trying to figure out exactly when Canada banned firearm suppressors, and it's proving more difficult than I thought.

Most commentary or news sources trace the prohibition to the "early 1900s" but don't reference any laws, acts, or statutes - or even a specific year. I have checked the 1919 and 1927 editions of the criminal code, and can find no reference to a ban. It's not until the 1953 edition that Section 84 lays out a clear prohibition.

I've also searched through newspaper databases from that period (Globe, Citizen & Gazette), and the Parliamentary Hansard.

It's clear I'm missing a piece of the puzzle, but I can't seem to find it. Thus, I turn to the great collective wisdom of Reddit.

Any information or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[u/Noah_S_Schwartz]

I've also written a research paper on that. The short answer is xenophobia and fear of young people. Will share the article here once it's published.

[u/zeeloniusfunk → u/Noah_S_Schwartz]

Wait, for real?

[u/_axeman_ → u/zeeloniusfunk]

I mean it makes sense, I can't imagine any banks were ever robbed with friggin nunchucks

[u/_axeman_ → u/[deleted]]

If axes get banned I'm cooked

[u/zeeloniusfunk → u/[deleted]]

I’m pretty liberal and I love guns and axes. Maternity leave and healthcare rule. But so does my 12 gauge.

[u/zeeloniusfunk → u/[deleted]]

Oh if you mean party affiliation I’m with you there. Sucks not to have more center in Canada. But to your point of liberals hating guns, there’s gotta be a better vernacular for that. I knew what you meant, but those folks are dorks who also happen to be liberal