This has been a very gratifying week for me as a parliamentarian, and one of the most notable times since I became an M.P. 15 years ago.

I am honoured to have been re-elected as chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. I am doubly pleased to have tabled my long-awaited Private Members’ Bill C-301 entitled, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and Firearms Act (registration of firearms).

This is the third time I have been selected by all political parties to chair an important and controversial parliamentary committee. We are in the process of planning our agenda that will take us through the spring. The committee is comprised of learned M.P.s from both sides of the House of Commons and I look forward to playing a role in Canada’s public safety and national security measures.

In tabling my Private Members’ Bill on February 9, I noted that it doesn’t mark the end of my quest to shut down the wasteful long-gun registry – it’s just the beginning of the process in Parliament. With some humility, I can say that I have acquired a national reputation for working toward reasonable and fair gun control legislation for more than a decade.

When I provided a synopsis of Bill C-301 in the House of Commons, I was quite moved by several standing ovations that I received from M.P.s who remained in their seats after Question Period to hear my short speech. Private Members’ Bills traditionally get short shrift in the federal legislative process, but we have to reason to believe that Bill C-301 could be debated and passed into law later this year.

The gun registry that was introduced a decade ago was a political pacifier to make Canadians think it would reduce crime. It hasn’t saved one life as it racked up a price tag of something close to $2 billion. Hunters, farmers and sport shooters are not the problem, yet they have been forced to register their firearms through an onerous and expensive tangle of red tape. By closing the gun registry, we will have the option to reallocate that money for more frontline police and technology to really reduce crime. If the government had invested the $2 billion that we’ve already spent, we would have been further ahead in our battle against the criminals we are now trying to apprehend.

I know there are M.P.s in all political parties who support Canadian heritage activities that include hunting and sport shooting. It is my sincere hope that all members, regardless of their political affiliation, will support this non-partisan legislation to save money and focus on fighting crime. The bill also simplifies the licensing process and invites periodic reports from the Auditor General to ensure that firearms legislation is fair and effective.

My appointment as committee chair and my tabling of Bill C-301 have reminded me that an individual M.P. can make a difference in helping to enhance safety and security in this great country. I owe a great debt to my constituents for providing me with that opportunity and supporting me in this long battle to abolish the long-gun registry.

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The audio version of Garry's February 16, 2009 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here