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STORY: "From today forward it is no longer legal to buy, sell or transfer a handgun in Canada," said Trudeau.

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

Trudeau's ruling Liberal government introduced bill C-21 to fight gun violence, and his office said Friday's action will help "keep Canadians safe" while the legislation is debated.

Under the executive action, any handgun applications submitted before Friday will still be processed.