Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country must impose a complete ban on the purchase and sale of all handguns.

His government has proposed a new law that would freeze private ownership of all short-barreled firearms.

The legislation will not completely ban handgun ownership - but it will make their purchase illegal.

Trudeau's proposal comes days after a deadly shooting at an elementary school in Texas, in the neighboring United States, which resulted in 21 deaths.

The bill, introduced to the Canadian Parliament on Monday, makes it impossible to buy, sell, transfer, or import handguns anywhere in the country.

Trudeau told reporters, "Apart from the use of firearms in shooting sports and hunting, there is no reason for anyone in Canada to need firearms in their daily lives."

He added, "As we see gun violence increasing, it is our duty to continue taking action."

The bill represents the most ambitious attempt yet by Justin Trudeau's government to restrict access to firearms.

The bill will also require the redesign of rifle ammunition magazines so that they cannot hold more than five rounds at a time.

Firearms licenses will be revoked from gun owners involved in domestic violence or criminal harassment.

Unlike the United States, gun ownership is not enshrined in the Canadian constitution, but firearms remain common, especially in rural areas of the country.

Canada already has stricter rules regarding gun ownership than its southern neighbor, and records fewer shooting incidents each year.

For example, all guns must remain locked and unloaded, and anyone wishing to purchase a firearm must undergo extensive checks and investigations.

However, there have been calls in recent years to tighten gun legislation there, especially after a number of deadly shootings.

In April 2020, a gunman masquerading as a police officer killed 22 people during a shooting spree in Nova Scotia - the deadliest in Canadian history.

Within days of that incident, Mr. Trudeau announced an immediate ban on 1,500 different types of military and assault-style weapons.

The new bill will effectively limit the number of legally owned handguns in Canada compared to current levels.