Handgun enthusiasts have been flocking to specialty stores since the federal government announced its intention to ban the sale, purchase and transfer of handguns by the fall.

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"We're being robbed," says a Pronature Blackburn employee on the phone

In the last week, this store has seen sales of this type of weapon increase by 200%.

The Journal contacted about fifteen stores. All but one have seen a rise in sales over the past week.

At most of these traders, there are very few of these weapons left in stock.

And buyers who want to turn to e-commerce do not have much more choice.

"Unlike normal, online shopping is made really hard. Limited choice and almost zero availability,” says Louis-Gabriel Naud, who practices sport shooting.

He bought himself a handgun this week, but by his admission, he was content with what he could find and not what he wanted.

He has been shopping for six months on the web.

According to him, the weapons still available are high-end models.

"Popular brands are out of stock everywhere," he notes.

Tir sporty

According to Martin Bourget, spokesperson for the Canadian Firearms Association, it was sports shooting enthusiasts who rushed to retailers this week. The latter judging that the Trudeau government's bill tabled Monday threatens the future and the succession of sports shooting.

"People who didn't have their dream handgun yet are buying it," he explains.

For his part, Louis-Gabriel Naud wants to introduce his two boys aged 12 and 14 to his passion. This is what motivated him to buy a handgun before it was banned.