OTTAWA – Kenora MP Greg Rickford joined with his fellow Conservative MPs in introducing the legislation to abolish the Long-Gun Registry. “The Conservative Government is following through on its commitment to firearms owners in the Kenora riding and across Canada by ending the wasteful and inefficient registry,” stated Rickford.
“This legislation will do three things: repeal the requirement to register non-restricted firearms (long-guns); provide for the destruction of all records pertaining to the registration of long-guns currently contained in the Canadian Firearms Registry and under the control of the chief firearms officers; and maintain controls over restricted and prohibited firearms”.
“As a rifle owner myself, I am glad to say that our Government is taking action for law-abiding Canadians in the Kenora riding,” commented Rickford. “Whether it be from speaking with people from the many gun clubs in the riding like the Dryden Rifle and Pistol Club, the Lake of the Woods Gun Club, the Chukuni Gun Club, just to name a few, or local hunters, trappers and farmers, responsible firearms owners have been asking for the repeal of this Registry for years. Today, I’m glad to say that we are not only standing up for the constituents of the Kenora riding, but we are following through on an election promise and doing away with this wasteful relic of the past government.”
Under the proposed reforms, firearms owners will still require a valid firearm licence to purchase or possess firearms, and to purchase ammunition. They will also be required to undergo police background checks, pass a firearms safety training course, and comply with firearms safe storage, and transportation requirements. In addition, individuals will continue to be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns.
“The Harper Government has always been clear; by eliminating the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry, we can instead focus our efforts on measures that actually tackle crime and make our streets and communities safe,” said Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. “Our Government will continue to uphold our commitment to effective gun control measures that help keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and off our streets.”
“With our moose and bear hunting seasons already upon us and deer season opening on Saturday for many, I’m sure that hunters will be adding this piece of good news to their campfire discussions this weekend,” added Rickford.
“Since 2006, the Conservative Government has made three separate attempts to repeal the Long-Gun Registry. The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure that gun control in this country is focused on fighting crime, keeping firearms out of the wrong hands and minimizing burdens on law-abiding gun owners. To that end, more effective investments are being made, such as putting more police on our streets, fighting organized crime, introducing mandatory minimum penalties for serious gun crime and combating gun smuggling,” concluded Rickford.