Ontario being Canada’s most populous province, according to its provincial government, 91 percent of handguns recovered from crimes in 2024 came in illegally from the United States. It should be noted that the actual figures are almost certainly higher because many recovered guns have been tampered with to make them untraceable. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian authorities have also been confiscating more firearms at the border with the U.S.: 827 in 2024, up from 459 in 2020. The same situation can be said for Mexico where since October 2024, the Mexican authorities had seized 18,000 firearms, of which nearly 80 percent came from the U.S.
In addition, there is the accompanying illegal importation of ammunition to both countries, much again originating in the U.S. Just recently, it was reported by Mexico’s Defense Secretary, Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, that about 137,000 .50-caliber rounds had been seized since 2012. Of those, 47 percent came from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, which is the largest manufacturer of rifle rounds used by the American military — some which were sold commercially in gun shops in the southern states. According to documents obtained by reporters, many of these rounds ended up in the hands of Mexican cartel members, who have used them to terrorize civilians and security forces alike. Armed with .50-caliber firearms, cartel gunmen have downed helicopters, assassinated government officials, shot at police and military forces, and killed civilians.
Demand for illegal firearms in Canada is driving the smuggling from the U.S., especially for handguns used in most violent crimes. In 2023, Canada further tightened control over handguns, making them virtually impossible to buy or transfer legally. Despite the stricter gun control measures in Canada, the easy legal access to guns in the U.S. remains an issue. Once obtained by gun smugglers, the profits to be made are high given that a handgun for example can be obtained illegally in Canada for three to four times the original purchase. Gun violence has also gone up significantly across Canada. According to government data, the homicide rate increased 33 percent from 2013 to 2023, largely because of firearm killings which jumped 89 percent. While firearms and stabbings alternated as the leading cause of homicides in the past, firearms have been the primary method of killing in Canada every year since 2016.
When compared to use by Canadians of fentanyl, the difference is the fact that the vast majority of fentanyl is manufactured within Canada for sale in the Canadian market. As a result, although still serious, the export or import of the illicit drug is less of an issue for Canadian authorities. However, fentanyl and other illegal drugs are being provided by drug gangs within the country, many of whom obtain firearms for protection and threats vis-à-vis other rival gangs. Quite often, when Canadian authorities arrest members of such gangs, the firearms seized are guns smuggled in from the U.S, with some altered to fire automatically.
In conclusion, when it comes to U.S.-Canada-Mexico security discussions, the continuing concern over related gun and ammunition smuggling out of the U.S. has to be on the table. One recognizes that the American authorities have attempted to coordinate initiatives to deal with this issue, but much more needs to be done. Perhaps, President Trump could give some real thought to this serious matter, as Canadian and Mexican lives are at stake.
FROLITICKS 