By Jim Bronskill The federal government plans to begin a buyback of assault-style firearms from individual owners with a pilot project in Nova Scotia. The pilot will be open to eligible gun owners in select areas of Cape Breton to ensure it runs smoothly before being launched across the country. Firearms owners can access a web portal as of Oct. 1 to file a declaration of interest. Participants may either deactivate their firearm using a licensed gunsmith or return it to police. “You cannot be serious about being tough on crime if you’re not willing to be tough on guns,” Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told media Tuesday on Parliament Hill. “This program is part of that solution.” Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed approximately 2,500 types of guns on…