Federal Government extends firearms registration amnesty

OFAH FILE: 842
April 11, 2007

For Immediate Release

Federal Government extends firearms registration amnesty

On April 7, 2007, an order amending the amnesty period for registration of long guns appeared in the Canada gazette, which formally extends the deadline for long gun owners across Canada to register their firearms. The current amnesty was set to expire on May 16, 2007 and the government has extended the period for long gun owners to come into compliance with the law without fear of reprisal to May 16, 2008.

“The government should be congratulated for taking this step,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “This action demonstrates their ongoing commitment to long gun owners and recognition that the registration system has failed. However, this is only one small step in the direction previously announced by the government, which would see the elimination of the registry itself, and we look forward to continuing to work with the government toward that end.”

The firearms law passed by the federal Liberal government more than a decade ago is still in force, although the current government introduced Bill C-21 last June, which if passed, would eliminate the long gun registry, which targets legal, law abiding firearms owners and not the criminals who purchase firearms illegally and use them to commit crime.

“Clearly the government has a way to go on this issue if they are going to fulfill their commitments to the firearms community, which is reflected in party policy, but at least they’re trying to provide some relief in the short term,” said Reader.

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