Why the Liberals are suddenly talking about ‘ghost guns’ — and why Conservatives say it’s a cynical distraction

OTTAWA — The Liberals’ legislation to tighten gun restrictions started out as a bill largely focused on banning handguns.

Then, it expanded into a sweeping ban on hundreds of long guns so broadly seen as a direct attack on hunters and sport shooters that the Liberals simply had to walk that aspect back.

Now, in the version of C-21 they hope to pass before summer, the Liberals are promoting an additional showpiece: measures to crack down on the untraceable weapons known as “ghost guns.”