CZ Denies Involvement in Canada Gun ‘Buyback’

“Thank you for reaching out,” a Saturday email reply to this correspondent from Eva Svobodová, Head of External Relations and Spokesperson Colt CZ Group SE, begins. “Please note that Colt Canada is not and will not be involved in the Canadian Government firearms buy-back program from Canadian citizens. Our activities in Canada remain focused on serving military and law enforcement customers.”

The statement addresses a controversy that erupted on social media Wednesday with allegations that Colt Canada, owned by the group, had been reported as the ”external service provider “ to assist the government in the destruction of firearms confiscated in its mandatory “buyback” program.”

Investigating the claim proved difficult, as neither the company nor the government were talking about it. Indeed, looking into the matter turned up an interesting matter of note:

“Government secrecy: The government has indicated it would apply measures to protect the identity of vendors to “ensure vendors do not face reprisals or retaliation”. This means any contract awarded, particularly for a controversial initiative like the gun buyback program, may not be publicly announced in a prominent way.”

Since no one was talking, that essentially left enquiring minds four options:

1. Make it known they will boycott until an answer is forthcoming.
2. Recruit shareholders to demand answers and clean house. “Colt CZ Group SE is a publicly traded company. You can find its stock on both the Prague Stock Exchange and the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market.” And you can also find its subsidiary companies.
3. Interested parties (perhaps Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights?) could file for bid/purchase records under the Access to Information Act, Canada’s equivalent of the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
4. Simpler than that would be if gun owners would just contact the company and urge it to clear this matter up while it can still control some of the narrative, as opposed to being dragged into the light with the worst look possible.

I opted for the latter and emailed the following inquiry to the Colt CZ Group SE group:

I urge you to confirm/deny resolve the ongoing controversy from internet allegations that your company is involved… Exercise what control you have now before someone else has it all.

The reply from Ms. Svobodová was forthcoming.

Others were receiving similar word but were also noting the denial was for involvement in the buyback and said nothing about the destruction of current or future seized assets.  Since my email was specifically titled “Participation in Canada’s Gun Destruction Program,” playing around that would prove problematic.

Desiring to nail down the unequivocal truth,  I sent the following reply:

Thank you for your response. I have two brief follow-ups if you would be kind enough to provide for the record responses: Was your company involved in the gun destruction program, to what extent, and is it now rescinding that decision? Can we expect a press release on this and when?

This column will be updated if and when new information becomes available.

Also see:

Alberta Government Responds to Firearms News Inquiry Regarding Ottawa Gun Grab

Judge Knocks Down ATF’s Engaged in the Business Rule

Washington Judge Issues Bogus Extreme Risk Protection Order & Takes Away Montana Man’s Guns!?

About David Codrea:

David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.