Sept. 9, 2014
Ontario court throws out long-gun registry Charter challenge
The federal government’s decision to end the long-gun registry was constitutional, Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice has ruled.
The Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic challenged the government’s decision in court, arguing the abolishment of the registry was unconstitutional as it decreased Canadians’ personal security and increased the death by firearms.
In his Sept. 8 decision, Mr. Justice Edward M. Morgan dismissed the court challenge, finding “there is no reliable evidence that the (Long-gun Registry Act) actually has, or will, increase the incidence of violence or death by firearms.”
“Much of the statistical and expert evidence indicates that the effects [of the long-gun registry] are potentially minimal or non-existent,” Morgan ruled.
Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Steven Blaney applauded the court’s ruling.
“I am very pleased that the court has ruled in favour of the will of Parliament and of Canadians,” he said. “We have always said that the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry did not stop a single crime or save a single life.”