The Canadian government plans to try to tighten the country's gun control laws by restricting the sale and purchase of handguns by individuals and by taking other measures.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Monday that legislation designed to reduce crimes involving guns has been submitted to parliament.

He said the measures include a "national freeze on handguns" to prevent individuals from bringing newly acquired handguns into Canada. The legislation also includes a ban on the purchase, sale, and transfer of handguns within the country.

Another provision calls for the firearms licenses of people involved in acts of domestic violence to be revoked. The government says it will buyback weapons with more lethal capabilities.

Trudeau said, "I've seen all too well the tragic cost that gun violence has in our communities across the country. Today, we're proposing some of the strongest measures in Canadian history to keep guns out of our communities and build a safer future for everyone."