Saskatchewan will soon have a new firearms commissioner.
Saskatoon lawyer Blaine Beaven, who has served as senior legal council to the Saskatchewan Firearms Office since 2022, will be taking over for Robert Freberg as commissioner later this month. Freberg will remain on as a part-time policy advisor on firearms issues, the provincial government noted.
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Beaven, a citizen of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, has practiced criminal law since 2010, and has spent 20 years as a reservist with the Canadian Forces where he has coached both marksmanship and biathlon.
“I am honoured to continue the groundbreaking work of Mr. Freberg and look forward to the future of the Saskatchewan Firearms Office, as we continue to ensure our public safety objectives are met and we defend the property rights of law-abiding firearms owners,” Beaven said in a statement.
Freberg, meanwhile, said he is proud of everything he accomplished in the role ever since the Saskatchewan Firearms Office was first established in 2021. The office is responsible for managing the ownership, purchase, transportation and use of firearms in Saskatchewan by administering federal legislation and advocating on behalf of the province’s law-abiding gun owners.
“I am very confident that Commissioner Beaven will lead the organization effectively going forward as it continues to evolve and respond to matters concerning firearms in Saskatchewan and Canada,” Freberg said in a statement.
Freberg, meanwhile, was thanked for his contributions by Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s justice minister.
“Mr. Freberg has served Saskatchewan with distinction and has been instrumental in our government’s efforts to protect lawful firearms owners and keep communities safe,” McLeod said in a statement.
“On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I extend my sincere thanks to Bob for his years of outstanding service and unwavering commitment to the people of our province. We are confident that Mr. Beaven’s legal experience and firearms knowledge will support the Saskatchewan Firearms Office to continue advancing nation leading initiatives.”









