Province moves toward hiring own top firearms official

Step brings into clearer focus extent of clash with Ottawa over gun control

Saskatchewan’s government is launching its search for a provincially appointed chief firearms officer, making good on a promise that formed part of Premier Scott Moe’s autonomy crusade.

Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell said a CFO chosen in Regina will be an advocate for the province’s stance on firearms, which is squarely at odds with the federal government’s move to ban what it calls “military-style” assault weapons.

“We believe a provincially appointed chief firearms officer will be well positioned to represent Saskatchewan’s position on firearms regulation to the federal government,” Tell said in a statement.

“Our government will always stand beside law-abiding Saskatchewan firearms owners, and we believe a provincially appointed CFO will assist in that advocacy.”

Moe first announced the plan at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in March. Saskatchewan currently has a federally appointed chief firearms officer, who administers the federal firearms regime in the province and is responsible for decisions about licensing and transport of firearms.

He mentioned the federal plans for stricter gun control at the time, which have become more concrete in the months since. Moe has said he’s “extremely disappointed” by a ban he believes “only serves to penalize law-abiding gun owners.”

Tell confirmed that remains the government’s view. She said there was “virtually no consultation” with the province over the ban.

She said the firearms officer would have regular dialogue with Ottawa and would be in a good position to point out when the new regulations aren’t working.

The provincial government is posting the position to its careers website on Thursday, with a closing date of June 10. Tell said she expects the work to transition from a federal to a provincial appointee could be complete by the fall, though she was not sure exactly when the new hire would start his or her work.

She said the successful candidate will have to show an ability to maintain good relationships with legal firearms owners, including an understanding the challenges they face and what actually do with their firearms.

Tell could not point to any specific problems with the existing chief firearms officer.

“It would just be a better liaison, to have that dialogue,” Tell said.

“All in all, the firearms officer is going to have to do what’s required under the Act. There’s no wiggle room there. And that’s fine, we understand that.

“It doesn’t mean we like it,” she added. “But we understand it.”