The province has previously estimated that Quebecers own 1.6 million long guns, mostly shotguns and rifles.

A pro-gun lobby held a rally at a sugar shack west of Quebec City on Saturday after it was forced to backtrack on a plan to have the event at a memorial site for the 14 women who were killed at Ecole polytechnique in 1989.

Place du 6 décembre is named after the date in 1989 when a gunman murdered the 14 women because of their gender.