Bill C-21: Call to Action

Liberal MP Paul Chiang (Markham-Unionville) has introduced a significant amendment to firearms Bill C-21 at the committee stage that, if adopted, would significantly expand the definition of a prohibited firearm to include many centre-fire semi-automatic rifles and shotguns “designed to accept a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity greater than five cartridges of the type for which the firearm was originally designed”.

Among other things, the OFAH is concerned about:

• The potential impact of adding hundreds of models and significant cost to the proposed buyback program
• The impact on hunters, as many of these firearms are used by hunters across the country
• The introduction of an amendment of this magnitude at such a late stage
• The lack of transparency – there is no opportunity for individuals or groups to submit evidence about the amendments

More information about the impact of this amendment will be available in the coming days as the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security continues its clause-by-clause analysis.