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With sales of AR-15 assault-style weapons surging following rumours of a possible ban and more non-restricted models entering the Canadian market, victims groups are calling for the federal government to tighten its gun legislation.

Gun sellers and lobbyists are reporting a sharp increase in the sale of AR-15 assault-style rifles after independent MP Tony Clement said in question period on May 9 the federal government is expected to institute a ban. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would make the announcement during the Women Deliver conference in early June in Vancouver to be attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Clement said. New Zealand instituted a ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons after a shooter killed 51 people at two mosques in March.

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Although the Canadian government denied Clement’s allegations, (after an initial non-committal statement by Border Security Minister Bill Blair), gun-rights lobbyists and merchants have been stoking the rumours on their websites and promoting sales.