LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The gun ban announced May 1 was widely cheered as a step toward a safer Canada, but some recreational shooters on P.E.I. are not pleased.

On May 1, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that “military assault-style” weapons will be placed on the list of prohibited firearms.

The ban focused on nine categories, as well as any firearm with a bore larger than 20 millimetres and/ or with a muzzle energy greater than 10,000 joules.

Together, it adds up to a list of more than 1,500 firearms.

Nelline Cronje, a member of the Women Shooters of P.E.I. who has been hunting and competing in firearms sports for decades, called cabinet’s decision to ban the guns “emotional”.

“The problem is, it doesn’t address firearms violence in Canada. The majority of firearms used in violent crimes are obtained illegally,” said Cronje.

The ban directly impacts her recreation activities and her wallet.

Her group had a workshop planned for the fall to introduce women to a variety of firearms in a safe environment with one-on-one instruction.

“Most, if not all, the (guns) we were planning to introduce the ladies to on that day, we now can’t use. We spent hundreds of dollars purchasing ammunition for those already, so we are out of pocket already. So, it’s bad news for many, many people,” said Cronje.

She’s confident Canada has some of the safest gun laws in the world but feels this goes too far.

What’s getting prohibited on the new list are some of the firearms she uses to compete with in International Practical Shooting Confederation events.

“You need a shotgun, a pistol and an AR-15-type firearm for those competitions. It’s sad, really,” she said. “It’s an inanimate object. It depends on who handles it. The safety depends on the handler; it’s totally the handler’s responsibility.”

Dave Hansen agrees.

He has been president of the P.E.I. Rifle Association for the last four years.

The 100-member group shoots at two ranges on P.E.I., as well as at events across Canada and internationally.

He says rifles are no different than golf clubs.

“In golf, you’re trying to get a hole in one. In target sports you’re trying to get a v-bull (bullseye),” said Hansen.

Gun ownership in Canada is highly regulated, and Hansen worries the new ban will only affect law-abiding gun owners.

As the government endeavours to tighten the regulations around gun ownership, it turns into more work for volunteers like him.

Hansen is working full-time, filling out paperwork to abide by the rules and keep his organization in operation.

He questions the cost of enacting the stringent rules.

“How much are you going to invest in resources, financial or personnel or whatever else? How much more are you going to throw at the diminishing number of crimes committed by a legal group of owners?” Hansen asked, rhetorically.

But rather than mount a protest, he has decided to focus on what the members of his group of recreational and competitive target shooters are – community-minded, inclusive and supportive – rather than what they