The facts about owning a firearm in Canada
LETTERS
I read with interest a letter to the editor (“Here are the facts about new gun laws,” Aug. 18 Herald), a letter full of contradicting points and false information trying to convince Canadian citizens Bill C-71 is beneficial and that it is not in fact a firearms registry. Facts are important so I would like to briefly highlight what is currently required to become a firearms owner in Canada.
One must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course to become eligible for a firearms licence to acquire or possess a non-restricted firearm. If you wish to own a restricted firearm you must take and pass an additional Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course. The tests are comprised of both theory and practical sections regarding the evolution of firearms, firearms safety practices, ammunition, safe handling and carry procedures, responsibilities of firearms owners/users and safe storage.
You must submit an application to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Here the applicant is subject to background checks which take into account criminal, mental health, addiction and domestic violence records. In some cases, more in-depth investigations are conducted. The RCMP require a minimum of 45 days to process a firearms licence application and for first-time applicants, an additional 28-day waiting period.
Once licensed, the owner of the firearm/firearms must adhere to the Canadian Firearm Acts 193 section document for storage, transport and use
(http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.6/page1.html).
For example, in order to transport a restricted firearm, the firearm must be unloaded, have a secure locking device attached, be locked in a sturdy non-transparent container, and the owner is required to obtain an Authorization to Transport permit from the Chief Firearms Officer. This is only one example of the already existing restrictions on firearms owners.
Despite the current stringent restrictions on legal firearms owners, “gun crime is up by 45 per cent over the past couple years.” I certainly am confused how more restrictions on legal firearm owners will assist in prevention. If the Liberal government is concerned about Canadians feeling more confident their communities are safe, then they must focus on the appropriate areas, the appropriate groups and the root cause of firearms-related crimes.
Bill C-71, like the last long gun registry, will cost taxpayers billions while effectively doing nothing to curb firearms-related crimes or assist our police forces in keeping Canadians safe.
Kurtis Bachman
Coalhurst United Hunters Association www.unitedhuntersassoc.ca