Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an announcement on Monday that his governing party, the Liberals, would put forward legislation that would see a nationwide freeze on handgun ownership.

“Two years ago, our government banned 1,500 models of assault-style weapons… We also expanded background checks to keep firearms out of the wrong hands,” He said at an event in Ottawa. “Now, as we see gun violence continue to rise, it is our duty to keep taking action.”

The prime minister then announced that his party would put forward legislation that would put “a national freeze on handgun ownership” in Canada.

BREAKING: Justin Trudeau announces a national freeze on handgun ownership. Acccording to Trudeau, it is now illegal to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns in Canada. pic.twitter.com/E5EzzXloEG

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“What this means is that it will no longer be possible to buy, sell, transfer, or import handguns anywhere in Canada,” he said.

“As a further part of this new legislation, we’re also fighting gun smuggling and trafficking by increasing maximum criminal penalties and providing more tools for law enforcement to investigate firearm crimes.”

The vast majority of gun crime in Canada is committed by those using illegal, smuggled guns, often from the United States.

“We’ll require the permanent alteration of long gun magazines so they can never hold more than five rounds. These are actions that doctors, experts, and chiefs of police have been calling for for years, and we’re acting on their advice,” he said.

“I also want to thank the advocates, many of whom are here today for your tireless efforts.” Trudeau was joined in the audience by several people who were family members of those who have fallen to gun violence in Canada.

“Our agencies intercepted nearly double the number of firearms than the year before. We’ll continue doing more to support law enforcement as they tackle the illegal gun market.”

“The vast majority of gun owners use them safely and in accordance with the law, but other than using firearms for sport shooting and hunting, there is no reason anyone in Canada should need guns in their everyday lives, and Canadians certainly don’t need assault-style weapons that were designed to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time. Canadians are united in wanting more done to keep communities safe and prevent suicides and gender-based violence, and that’s exactly why we’re here today.”

“The consequences are real,” Trudeau said. “Today, we’re joined by families and friends of victims of gun violence including the mass shootings at Polytechnique, on the Danforth, and at the Quebec City Mosque. Losing a child to gun violence… should never happen.”