Dear Editor:
The House of Commons Bill C-71 is part of the Liberal government’s effort to fulfil their election promise to “get handguns and assault weapons off our streets.” The problem with C-71 is that it has nothing in it to accomplish that while at the same time puts yet more restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles in front of licensed hunters, farmers and sport shooters, a community that has a long proven track record of safety and extremely low instances of criminality.
“Enhanced background checks” sounds positive, but how that will work and what cost in resources? Despite what the Public Safety Minister would lead us to believe, violent criminals are already denied firearms licenses beyond the 5 years required to disclose on the application form. Criminals and gang members, who commit the vast majority of gun crimes, do not apply for licenses! We already have in place a hotline for anyone to call and report a friend, family member or stranger whom they believe to be a danger to themselves or the public. The Chief Firearms Officer of each province take these calls seriously and act on them when received.
Extra paperwork for a licensed gun owner to take their registered restricted firearm to a gunsmith is going to get “handguns and assault weapons off our streets” how exactly? This is just a pointless waste of tax payer resources.
While the government is introducing this bill they are ending funding of CeaseFire Halifax, a non-profit community-based group that is trying to eliminate gun violence by working directly with those at risk of becoming or are already involved in violent activity.
With C-71 the Liberal government is providing Canadians with hypocrisy and security theatre, not public safety.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin King ,
Waterloo,
Kevin King