Conservative Convention 2016: Firearms Policy

The Conservatives new firearms policies are a good step in the right direction but I feel of course they could have went further.  Below are some of the policy changes.

“Having passed the breakout stage of the Conservative Party Convention with a rousing 278 votes to 6, the Firearms Policy Proposal put forth by the party members reads as follows:

1: A Conservative government will not deprive Canadian citizens of their legally acquired firearms.

2: A Conservative government recognizes that civilian firearm ownership is a Canadian Heritage.

3: A Conservative government would streamline firearms classification by adopting the Simplified Classification System.

4: A Conservative government would order a review of firearms-related laws to identify parts of those Acts that have no public safety value.”

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Of course this seems to be a step in the right direction but it makes me wonder why this kind of change wasn’t done when they had the power to do it!  I really wish this would have been pushed during their reign as I feel the Liberals could be in power for some time to come.  I hope this is not the case at least for us gun lovers.

My thoughts of the policy listed above:

“1: A Conservative government will not deprive Canadian citizens of their legally acquired firearms.”

One thing I think the United States does right, if you purchase a firearm its your property and for the most part any changes in law will not allow for them to take it away or as far as I know prohibit you from using the firearm.  To me this should be adopted in the country.  If you legally purchase a product its YOURS and should be grandfather in and protected from any future changes in law.  Now of course I believe almost all firearms should be non-restricted but thats a dream at this point. Baby steps!

“2: A Conservative government recognizes that civilian firearm ownership is a Canadian Heritage.”

I fully agree that its a Canadian Heritage to own guns but frankly it should go deeper then that.  Its not only heritage but a human right to own firearms for hunting, sporting and yes personal PROTECTION!  I am honestly on the fence with open/concealed carry permits in cities at this point.  I do get the reasons to allow it and do think when in the bush you should be able to 100% carry a pistol.  But we do/should have the right to protect ourselves and not to be told thats the job of the police and only the police.

“3: A Conservative government would streamline firearms classification by adopting the Simplified Classification System.”

I don’t think we need a system for classification at all except for some military weapons that frankly we don’t need the average person owning.  BUT like I said baby steps.  If they can get these changes into law and they make our lives easier as gun owners its a step forward which is what we need!

“4: A Conservative government would order a review of firearms-related laws to identify parts of those Acts that have no public safety value.”

If this happens again a great step forward.  Honestly I do see some good things in our system such as mandatory testing.  Firearms can be dangerous if not handled correctly and we have a good record overall for firearms safety in this country and we all should want to keep it that way.  This is one area I think we get right.  I even think it could go a step further and require a live fire part of the testing.  But there are stupid rules like ATT’s and magazine capacity rules….. this stuff can go because it does NOTHING for public safety.

For the most part I am happy with the possible policy changes but frankly its to little to late as I mentioned this should have been done while they were IN POWER and not after to try and get our votes again.  We need a party on our side so if your a one issue voter they are the only option at this point. They will get my vote next time around, but as a gun community we need to pressure them when and if they are in power to follow through with their policies and not 8 years later!

Overall my view of the policies suggested are good steps forward.  But as a gun community we need to come together and make sure in the future that these changes are actually implemented and pushed right direction as they suggest!  We need to stop the mentality that if you don’t own a certain type of firearm or if a policy doesn’t affect you, you don’t care.  EVERY change or restriction affects all of us directly or indirectly.  So lets get together and get some changes made for ALL our benefit!

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