HARPER GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES COMMON SENSE FIREARMS MEASURES FOR LAW-ABIDING
FIREARMS OWNERS
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=890609
October 7, 2014 – Ottawa – Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, introduced the Common Sense
Firearms Licensing Act. This bill meets the Government’s objective to cut
red tape for law-abiding firearms owners and provide safe and simple
firearms policies. Changes to the Criminal Code and the classification
regime would enable the Government to take steps to ensure the rights of
lawful firearms owners are respected.
Quick Facts
• The amendments to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code would:
o Create a six-month grace period at the end of the five-year licence
period to stop people from immediately becoming criminalized for paperwork
delays around license renewals;
o Streamline the licensing system by eliminating the Possession Only
Licence (POL) and converting all existing POLs to Possession and Acquisition
Licences (PALs);
o Make classroom participation in firearms safety training mandatory
for first-time licence applicants;
o Amend the Criminal Code to strengthen the provisions relating to
orders prohibiting the possession of firearms where a person is convicted of
an offence involving domestic violence;
o End needless paperwork around Authorizations to Transport by making
them a condition of a licence for certain routine and lawful activities;
o Provide for the discretionary authority of Chief Firearms Officers
to be subject to limit by regulation;
o Authorize firearms import information sharing when restricted and
prohibited firearms are imported into Canada by businesses; and,
o Allow the Government to have the final say on classification
decisions, following the receipt of independent expert advice.
“Today, our Government followed through on its commitment to introduce
legislation that enshrines simple and safe firearms policies. The Common
Sense Firearms Licensing Act is further proof that our Government will
always stand by law-abiding firearms owners and hunters.” – Steven Blaney,
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
“The changes proposed by the Harper Government strike a balance between the
need to remove administrative burdens on legal, law-abiding firearms owners
in Canada, and government’s intention to protect and enhance public safety.
In our opinion, they have succeeded on both counts.”– Ontario Federation of
Anglers and Hunters
“The Harper Government continues to address the inadequacies in the existing
firearms legislation that only serve to punish the law-abiding firearms
community. This initiative will smooth out some of the bumps and make it
easier for Canadians without compromising public safety.” – Saskatchewan
Wildlife Federation
“Thank you for your proposed Commons Sense Firearms Licensing Act. We see it
as being very reasonable and would endorse what is suggested so far.” – New
Brunswick Wildlife Federation
“We are pleased that Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney is moving towards
fairer firearms laws. Cutting red tape for sport shooters and hunters does
not compromise public safety one iota.” – Canadian Shooting Sports
Association
“The Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs [Quebec hunting and
fishing federation] is thrilled with this initiative. Quebec hunters are
very pleased with this bill because it simplifies the licence issuing
process for law-abiding users, while reinforcing the concepts of safety and
education.” – Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
“We support smart, cost effective firearms policy that keeps Canadians safe,
but treats gun owners fairly. We applaud the Harper Government’s ongoing
efforts to streamline firearms licensing in Canada to make it more effective
and efficient.” – Manitoba Wildlife Federation
“The Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters would like to thank the
Harper Government and in particular the Hon. Steven Blaney, Minister of
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, who has today started a process
for restoring sensibility to Canadian firearms laws. The proposed
legislation has the ability to improve the shooting opportunities for both
hunters and target shooters. It will also allow thousands of gun owners to
purchase new firearms and that will have a positive impact on the economy of
rural Canada.” – Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
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