(Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that regulations banning the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns within Canada will come into effect on Friday, adding that the measure builds on previous efforts to ban handgun imports.

The handgun freeze was announced in May alongside proposed legislation that would implement the strongest gun control measures in the country in 40 years as part of Trudeau's plan to address gun violence, his office said.

Trudeau said at a press conference in Surrey, British Columbia, attended by family members of gun violence victims and other advocates: "We have frozen the handgun market in this country."

Trudeau added: "As we see gun violence escalating... we are committed to taking action. Our national handgun freeze comes into effect." Friday's measure prevents people from buying, selling, or transferring handguns within Canada and prohibits them from bringing newly acquired handguns into the country, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino described it as one of the most important actions taken on gun violence in Canada in a generation. Canada has stricter gun laws than the United States, but Canadians can possess firearms with a license.

Some firearms must also be registered under this law. Data from 2020 in Canada showed that the gun-related homicide rate in Canada is a small fraction of the United States' rate but still higher than other wealthy countries and is increasing.

Handguns were the main weapon used in the majority of gun-related violent crimes between 2009 and 2020.

The governing Liberal government under Trudeau introduced Bill C-21 to combat gun violence, and his office said Friday's measure will help "keep Canadians safe" while the legislation is under discussion. In August, imports were banned until the law was passed.

Mendicino said, speaking alongside Trudeau: "We must enforce this law as soon as possible."

Editing: Yusra Bamtarif