House Holds Historic Vote on Long Gun Bill

OFAH FILE: 842
February 15, 2012

House Holds Historic Vote on Long Gun Bill
Third Reading of legislation to scrap long gun registry a milestone for outdoor community

Later today, the House of Commons will hold Third Reading on Bill C-19, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and Firearms Act (Ending the Long Gun Registry Act).

“We are pleased that this day has come,” said Mike Reader, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH). “The Prime Minister has been steadfast in his commitment to eliminate this costly, ill-fated and much maligned piece of legislation, and we are delighted that the government has been true to its word.”

Mr. Reader noted that the outdoor community across Canada has always been a strong supporter of reasonable laws that focus on the need for the safe use, handling, storage and transportation of firearms, which the long gun registry does not. “There is no quantifiable evidence to demonstrate that the registry works. The Auditor General of Canada has previously concluded that the system has been unable to demonstrate how it has helped to reduce deaths, injuries and threats to the public safety from the criminal use of firearms. As a result, it should be scrapped and the money spent on more effective crime prevention programs that target the real sources of crime, not legal, law-abiding, licensed and trained firearms owners,” added Reader.

The creation of the long gun registry under Bill C-68 by a previous Liberal government focused on legal, licensed, law-abiding firearms owners, instead of targeting criminals and prohibited offenders who threaten the public safety and do not register firearms. The current system was supposedly based on two leading principles; it would save lives and it would enhance public safety. Proponents of the system continue to support its existence and claim that it has succeeded, but there is no fact-based evidence to suggest that it has done so, and major public opinion polls over the last few years have consistently shown that a large majority of respondents support scrapping the long gun registry. To that end, the OFAH is calling on all Parliamentarians to vote in support of Bill C-19.

“One of the major sources of crime in Canada is the use of illegal guns, smuggled into the country from the United States and other points of origin. In some areas, the incidence of crime involving these guns is as high as 90 per cent. We need to refocus the discussion and ensure that valuable tax dollars are being spent on programs and policies that address the real causes of crime,” concluded Reader.

With over 100,000 members, supporters and subscribers, and 675 member clubs, the OFAH is the largest nonprofit fish and wildlife based conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the VOICE of anglers and hunters. Visit www.ofah.org or follow the OFAH on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.

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