Province considers appointing firearms officer

Alberta is considering appointing its own chief firearms officer to replace Ottawa’s appointee after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on 1,500 military-style assault weapons Friday.

The federal government order, which goes into effect immediately, does not outlaw owning the guns, but it has halted their use and sale. In some cases, they can be used for hunting. Following deadly mass shootings in Canada, including the recent killings in Nova Scotia, Trudeau said “Canadians deserve more than thoughts and prayers.”

Owners of legally purchased firearms that fall under the ban will be compensated in a buyback program that will require a bill to be passed

in Parliament.

Premier Jason Kenney, in a joint statement with Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer Friday, said while the Alberta government is concerned about crime and the illegal use of firearms, Ottawa’s order does little to target criminals or the “overwhelming majority” of firearms that are smuggled in from the United States.

“Instead, Ottawa is singling out law-abiding Canadians who purchased their property legally, have owned these items safely for years, and who have committed no crimes,” he said.

Schweitzer said that violent criminals who use guns are often released with “surprisingly soft” sentences.

“Rather than focus on law-abiding Canadians, we’d call on Parliament to bring back tough, mandatory sentences for the criminals who flagrantly endanger Canadians with their use of illegal guns,” he said.

Alberta will scrutinize Ottawa’s move and explore potential responses, Schweitzer said.

In November 2019, the UCP government passed a motion supporting the ability of Albertans to lawfully own firearms for legal activities such as hunting and sport shooting.