HALIFAX -- Halifax, the largest city in the Maritimes, has seen its share of deadly gun violence. Now that municipalities are getting the go-ahead from the federal government to ban handguns, Mayor Mike Savage says they are considering their options. "I think in terms of handguns, handguns are different than long guns, and I think it's an issue of big concern to mayors, police chiefs, public safety officials in cities everywhere," Savage said. "We'll have to look at it, work with our staff and the province, see what our options are." The new federal gun control legislation will include a buy-back program of legally owned firearms that Ottawa has deemed to be so-called assault-style weapons -- but it's not mandatory.