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Just before the election was called last weekend, the Harper government reversed the RCMP’s ban on certain Czech- and Swiss-made rifles — the first time the government had exercised new powers allowing it to override the police force’s gun-classification decisions.

The Mounties did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, but over the last several days Canadian gun owners have rejoiced on social media after Steven Blaney, the public safety minister, announced that CZ-858 rifles and the Swiss Arms family of rifles were no longer prohibited.

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“About damn time, Swiss Arms out in the bush for the weekend!!!” the operators of the Gun Owners of Canada web forum tweeted.

On the Canadian Gun Nutz web forum, owners of the affected Czech and Swiss rifles were encouraged to “dust off” their “newly freed” rifles and post pictures of them. Many did and also posted videos from the gun range.

“We’re very, very pleased. It takes firearms and puts them back where they belong,” said Tony Bernardo, executive director of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association.