The shooting in Orlando has reignited the debate over gun control in the U.S., but advocates say there’s more that Ottawa can do as well.

Heidi Rathjen survived the Polytechnique Massacre in 1989 that left 14 women dead and has been fighting for tougher gun control laws ever since.

Semi-automatic weapons like the AR-15 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms says Mateen used in the Orlando nightclub assault, are just as available in Canada as they are in the U.S., said Rathjen.

AR-15s are restricted weapons, meaning they can only be used at a shooting range by a member of a gun club.

Quebecers are required to take an extra course and are subject to police checks before they purchase one.

Still, Rathjen believes semi-automatic weapons shouldn't be in the hands of civilians. The AR-15 has become known as the weapon of choice for mass killings in the US.

In Montreal, Kimveer Gill used a legally-obtained restricted semi-automatic Beretta Cx4 Storm, along with a shotgun and a handgun, at the Dawson College shooting.

Richard Bain is accused of using a semi-automatic CZ858 that he had modified with a larger capacity magazine in his election night shooting.

The Quebec Shooting Federation, gun clubs and one shop that sells restricted firearms declined interviews with CTV Montreal Monday.

Rathjen said actions can’t be predicted, so the best prevention is to ban this type of weapon.

“The ban on assault weapons is the norm in most European and developed countries. Why can’t we have it here in Canada? It doesn’t fit our values, there’s no value other than to please a very well organized and loud minority which is the gun lobby. We have a very strong one in Canada and they’ve certainly won on this issue so far in Canada but now we’re hoping that the federal government will turn that around,” said Rathjen.

Rathjen says Quebec has done everything in its power through Anastasia's Law and the upcoming creation of a long-gun registry, a bill which passed just last week.

Now Ottawa must do its part, she said, in reaction to the Orlando shootings.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that Canadians will not accept hate crimes. He did not take reporters’ questions about gun control.