For Immediate Release: March 28, 2018
Surrey, B.C.:
The federal government has decided to rush new Gun Control legislation through without full discussion and debate Members of Parliament voted on a Second Reading of Bill C-71 on March 27, 2018. A “Notice of Closure” on Bill C-71 has been posted, but recognized firearms groups in Canada have not been consulted on the changes.
The BC Wildlife Federation represents more than 40,000 British Columbians and a hundred plus sport shooting clubs and fish and game protective associations. Together, we provide training and safe use of firearms and Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE).
Bill C-71 is missing the mark in attempting to reduce crime and make Canadians safer. Canada has one of the strictest firearm regimes in the world, but it can’t stop shootings by drug gangs. Even at the peak of the long-gun registry in 2012, Statistics Canada found that less than 5 per cent of firearms used in homicide had ever been registered. This tiny percentage means that firearms diverted from law-abiding owners cannot be the source of guns used in many violent crimes.
Only two per cent of accused murderers had ever had a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). It makes no sense to target law-abiding firearms owners with this legislation; therefore, the BC Wildlife Federation requests that bill C-71 must be subject to full debate or be rescinded immediately.
The BCWF has numerous questions about the methodology and science behind the proposed legislation, and expects the opportunity to provide recommendations before this Bill is pushed through. The federation is asking our members to call, write and meet with their MPs across the province on this issue.
The BCWF Firearms Committee Chair Gary Mauser, and BCWF Recreational Shooting Sports Committee Chair Vic Skaarup have launched a campaign to make sure that any new firearms legislation does not harm responsible hunters and sports shooters.
The government should be working with organizations like ours to support hunter training and firearms safety among young people and new Canadians. Public safety is not being served by Bill C-71 and we cannot support it in its present form.
For more information Read the BCWF Backgrounder on Bill C-71
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CAMPAIGN
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Originally Posted by BCWF
