OTTAWA – Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville says he’s pleased with the recent announcement by federal Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney that makes Swiss Arms and CZ-858s rifles legal to use, as they were before February 25, 2014.  “The coming-into-force of an expanded Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2014) is welcome news for owners of these rifles who will be able to use their property once again,” said Breitkreuz.

Minister Blaney also announced the Conservative Government’s intention to table the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act when Parliament resumes in the autumn.  “This legislation will streamline licensing and eliminate needless red tape for law-abiding gun owners, while keeping Canadians safe,” continued Breitkreuz.  The legislation will:

• merge the Possession Only License (POL) and the Possession and Acquisition License (PAL);
• restrict the ability of Chief Firearms Officers to make arbitrary decisions;
• create a grace period so that individuals who inadvertently miss renewing their firearms license are not made into criminals for paper work infractions;
• make Authorizations to Transport a condition of a license;
• require mandatory firearms safety courses for first-time gun owners; and
• strengthen firearms prohibitions for those convicted of domestic violence offences.

“This Conservative Government will always stand up for the rights of law-abiding hunters, farmers and sport shooters,” said Breitkreuz who also co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Outdoors Caucus. “Hunting and sport shooting remain important outdoor heritage activities in this country.”

“I am very pleased to be working with Minister Blaney on these important firearms issues.  Like me, he believes that owning a firearm is a right, but a right that comes with responsibilities.  The measures outlined here are a good step in the right direction.   I am confident that under the leadership of Minister Blaney, law-abiding gun owners in this country will benefit from fairer firearms laws,” concluded Breitkreuz.

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