The Toronto Police Association (TPA) issued a direct statement to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, after the Liberal leader boasted about freezing the handgun market two years ago.

The Liberals in May of 2022 announced a freeze on importing, buying, selling or transferring handguns. The measure was a response to rising gun crime — though stats show most firearms-related offences are not from legally owned or purchased weapons. 

“Criminals did not get your message,” the TPA posted to their social media account, directly above Trudeau’s post.

“Our communities are experiencing a 45% increase in shootings and a 62% increase in gun-related homicides compared to this time last year. What difference does your handgun ban make when 85% of guns seized by our members can be sourced to the United States?” the TPA stated. 

Indeed, as reported by The Counter Signal in 2022, most guns being seized in Toronto are smuggled into Canada from the US, revealing that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handgun ban would have little impact on shootings. 

Toronto has some of the country’s highest violent gun crime rates. 

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also chimed in to the discussion, which the TPA reposted to X.

The TPA does not represent all police in Toronto but covers the majority of the personnel working for the Toronto Police Service.