The federal government is tightening gun control across Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a national freeze on handgun ownership, meaning that handguns can no longer be bought, sold, transferred or imported in Canada.

Trudeau adds that the federal government is increasing maximum criminal penalties for gun smuggling, while long gun magazines must be altered so that they carry five or fewer rounds.

Justice Minister David Lametti notes that the new bill will with introduce a new offence of altering a gun magazine, which will see a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.

In addition, Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino states that changes have been tabled to the firearms act to put the new rules on handguns in effect, sooner.