U.S.-sourced guns flowing into Canada are contributing to violent crime, the trafficking can be extraordinarily profitable, and Canadians increasingly want the issue addressed in trade negotiations.
September 23, 2026—It is not just tariffs, trade, and geopolitics that are causing friction in the U.S.-Canadian relationship. Another point of contention is that U.S.-made guns are illegally crossing the border into Canada and into the hands of violent criminals. The United States is the lead producer of crime-related guns in Canada, and Canadians are taking notice and demanding action.
Higher Profits
While U.S. gun trafficking to Mexico cartels has gained widespread attention, including by the GER, illegal weapons are also crossing the U.S.-Canadian border. The market price is what is driving a lot of the trafficking North, according to a report released today by the Global Action on Gun Violence, a D.C.-based organization litigating and advocating for policy changes on behalf of Mexico and Bahamas.
A vendor can legally buy a gun for $300-$500 in the United States and sell it on the illegal black market in Canada for $3,000-$5,000, according to report, U.S. Gun Policy, Global Harm: Cross-Border Gun Trafficking from the Great Lakes Region.
“It may be more profitable for gun-traffickers to sell in Canada,” said Jonathan Lowy, GAGV’s president and founder. “This is truly a global problem.”
Ohio, The Heart of It All
For its new report, the GAGV looked deeply into trafficking flows from the United States, state gun-control laws in the North and Midwest, and the international impact. Much of the flow of U.S.-made guns come through the Great Lakes region, particularly Ohio where state laws are lax. Most guns illegally trafficked are never found. Others end up in Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Jamaica, and even Saudi Arabia.
Much of the flow of U.S.-made guns come through the Great Lakes region, particularly Ohio where state laws are lax. Most guns illegally trafficked are never found. Others end up in Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Jamaica, and even Saudi Arabia. The report calls for stronger law enforcement in the United States, as well as a federal universal background check.
Issue for Trade Talks
The U.S.-Canadian trade talks collapsed in August. Since then, consumers in both countries are paying higher prices on products under the tariff regime. If and when diplomatic talks restart, trafficking could be among the issues discussed. At least, a majority of Canadians recently polled would like it to be included. According to a Nanos poll conducted in August, 88 percent of respondents in Ottawa said they would like negotiators to include the issue of illegal firearm trafficking in the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade talks.
In his second term, President Trump has tied tariffs to issues like Canadian wildfires and fentanyl. So, it would not be surprising to see Canadians turn the tables on Trump now and demand that he take action to control gun flows to Canada.
Violent Crime
Unlike the case of gun trafficking from the United States to Mexico, the primary issue is not the arming of powerful cartels. It is violent crime. Firearm-related deaths are lower in Canada than in the United States, but the rates of gun-related violence and murders are rising. For instance, deaths from gun shootings rose by 80 percent over a 10-year period from 2013-2023, according to a University of Toronto report.
On Tuesday, investigators with Peel Regional Police in Ontario seized 23 guns in a 10-month undercover operation into a firearm trafficking network. They said half of those guns were made in the United States and are illegal in Canada. They also linked 14 of the 23 guns seized to shootings. Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich predicted the department would ultimately link most all of the guns back to the States, Canada’s CP24 reported on Tuesday.
“It feels like our area is a warzone,” a former gang member in Toronto’s suburb of Scarborough told France 24 News last Summer. “It’s like all over Toronto. It’s not hard to find a gun. It is just not cheap. It’s expensive.”
Lawsuits Likely
Given the flow of illegal guns to Canada, litigators are likely to file a lawsuit in Canada, where the U.S. immunity shield for gun makers is not applicable. Paul Miller, a partner at Howie Sacks & Henry, a Toronto-based law firm, said he is concerned about the rise in random shootings, which he sees as becoming more common and “Americanized.”
Miller is calling for stronger border enforcement and other legal and policy actions. He said litigation may be more effective because it would hit gun makers and traffickers where it hurts: The pocketbook.
“I think it’s very important to bring them, because one thing that affects business is a loss of money,” Miller said, adding it would make dealers “think twice about selling to strawmen.”
