Spring Gun Legislation, what to expect

With the promise of new gun legislation looming this spring, I spent the day at Public Safety yesterday in a joint meeting with Greg Farrant, OFAH Gov’t Relations guru. We sat down with Goodale’s Director of Communications to go over the platform and what gun owners can expect.

Minister Goodale said in a statement;

“The guiding principle of firearms policy and legislation is public safety. Firearms policy prioritizes public safety, while remaining mindful of the need for legislative and regulatory measures to be manageable for firearms owners and businesses. A review of the regulations under the Firearms Act will allow us to identify any opportunities to enhance public safety and to reduce administrative burdens. It will also focus on regulatory provisions that are out of date as a result of amendments that have been made to the Firearms Act.” 

Here’s what we have learned;

1) Last year there was talk of a return to the old paper ATT system. That has been tossed off the table, however expect some changes to the ATT for international travel with firearms

2) Enhanced background checks: expect some changes to the PAL and renewal applications surrounding the mental health questions (term increases)

3) expect legislation to require shops to validate and verify PAL’s, not just look at them. Most shops are doing this now. Revocations and suspensions are obviously not visible on the card. My concern: ensuring the administrative framework is in place for call ins

4) Record Keeping; expect shops to be required to collect and maintain sale records … my concern: privacy and safe keeping of information. This is being deferred to the provinces

5) UN markings– deferred until Dec 2018. Word is that serial numbers are fine as a unique identifier, however Canadian legislation doesn’t require serial numbers, so watch for something on that (new guns-going forward)

6) No federal long gun registry will be implemented.

Liberal Gun Legislation Platform

Tracey Wilson is the registered in-house lobbyist for the CCFR Lobby Log

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