Eves stands tough on federal gun registry

Peterborough – On July 29, 2003, Premier Ernie Eves chose the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters headquarters in Peterborough as the location to take aim at the federal firearms registry and to unveil his government’s platform on fighting gun-related crime.

“We will not waste the time of our police and busy courts with prosecutions under the federal Liberal’s overpriced, ineffective gun registry boondoggle,” said Eves. He noted that the money dedicated to the federal firearms registry would pay for as many as 13,000 police officers on the streets.

Instead Eves unveiled his governments plan to fight gun-related crime, which include:

• Instructing crown attorneys to seek tougher sentences and strictest bail conditions for those using or carrying guns in the commission of a crime.
• Placing a priority on the elimination of gun smuggling operations from the U.S. and abroad.
• Creating special courts to deal with firearms created offences in a more serious manner.

Eves made it clear that the federal firearms laws, particularly when they concern registration issues, will be federal responsibilities.

“We will not enforce federal firearms law. If they want to enforce it, they can,” he announced to local and national media, members of firearms advocacy groups and interested onlookers.

The Premier, standing alongside O.F.A.H. Executive Director Mike Reader, Peterborough M.P.P Gary Stewart and firearms advocates, said he chose the Federation’s Peterborough Office to make his announcement “because the O.F.A.H. has done many worthwhile things for Ontario and because hunters, anglers and gun collectors shouldn’t be treated like criminals.” He also recognized the O.F.A.H.’s leadership role in fighting the ineffective federal firearms registry in Ontario and across Canada.

Reader presented the Premier with a conservation print and expressed the Federation’s appreciation for the provincial government’s stand on this issue.