Gun shop owner speaks out on ad
Licensing process for handguns arduous
The recent gun ad in our Hamilton Spectator was met with some negative concerns. I hope to clear up some statements made by a couple of the letter writers.
Letter writer Rob Gibson stated only a few are being pandered to by this ad. Target shooting, (pistol and revolver) is one of the fastest growing family sports in this country. Most licensed shooting ranges (in Ontario) are at full capacity with long waiting lists. This is where legal firearm owners are allowed to discharge their target handguns.
Letter writer Randell Neudorf writes that our Spectator consistently covers “gun and gang violence.” The gang violence part is true, but until people elect a government that truly allows police to go after these gangs, nothing will change. For decades we have had governments that brainwash the public into thinking it’s legal firearm owners that cause illegal activity. Stop illegal guns from coming into this country and your “gang problem” will eventually cease to exist.
Letter writer Jackie Jones believes that people do not kill people (guns do apparently). Using this logic cars kill people not impaired drivers or distracted drivers. “I can’t control who buys a gun” — wrong again. You do control who legally buys a gun via the licensing process.
Here’s how to buy a target handgun legally: It takes approximately one month to book one course.
1. Take the Non-Restricted Firearms Course (about $150) pass the written and practical exams (80 per cent minimum) 1416 hours;
2. Take the Restricted Firearms Course (about $150), another eight to 10 hours, and pass the written and practical exams (80 per cent minimum);
3. Instructor sends your test results to Chief Firearms Office in Province (OPP Orillia) to ensure class time and marks are legitimate;
4. RCMP sends application to you to fill out;
5. Get photo (with guarantor) and two references;
6. Send back to RCMP — it does a background check;
7. RCMP call both references for interviews. If they don’t contact both — your licence stops here. If your spouse (or partner) of two years doesn’t want you to have one, your licence stops here;
8. If everything is a go, they will send your licence in a few weeks;
9. You purchase a target pistol at a gun shop. You get background check No. 2, after C.F.O. (Chief Firearms Office) approves (one to two weeks usually), you may go back to the store to pick up your gun with a trigger lock, lockable case and legal paperwork. You can now target shoot at a C.F.O.licensed range.
This process generally takes four to six months.
Along with the privilege of a firearms licence comes extra scrutiny by authorities. For instance, let’s say that you and your neighbour have an incident in which the police are called. When the police file the “incident report,” the C.F.O. will be notified (whether charges are laid or not). They will investigate and review the report to determine if there is a public safety concern or criminal code violation. If there is, then your licence will be suspended immediately and firearms removed from your possession.
When you get pulled over for a possible traffic violation the officer will run your licence plate before approaching the vehicle. At the push of a button he or she will know if you have a firearms licence and what handguns, if any, you own.
As a firearms collector you will agree to extra stipulations. One of these stipulations is to have your home inspected at any mutual agreeable time. This is to satisfy the police that all firearms are stored legally as per the Criminal Code of Canada.
And last but not least: Every time you purchase a target handgun you will have a background check done. Every five years when you renew your licence you will have a background check done again.
When was the last time we had a background check on you?