GUN REGISTRY SHOOTS BLANKS

If Paul Martin becomes the next prime minister of Canada, one of his first moves should be to abolish the ill-advised federal long-gun registry.

The registry, which was supposed to cost taxpayers $2 million but has now skyrocketed past $1 billion, received two more blows this week.

First, the Liberal government announced there was a major computer crash in the registry on Dec. 30, 2002, and it is trying to determine how many online registrations were wiped out. Secondly, Ontario joined Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in announcing it will not prosecute gun owners who fail to register.

While we can understand the five provinces' frustration with faulty legislation, openly saying they will pick and choose which laws they will prosecute sends the wrong message. It is particularly contradictory for a government that prides itself on law and order, as do the Ontario Tories.

Concerns of London police Chief Brian Collins that the Ontario stand "has the effect of bringing the justice system into disrepute" are valid.

Instead, the provinces should bide their time until Jean Chretien steps down as prime minister and then make their case to his successor, almost certainly to be Martin.

Not only is Martin a fiscal conservative with little patience for waste, but given his bitter split with Chretien, he's unlikely to have much time for the prime minister's pet projects.

The gun registry was political from Day 1, meant to appease an anti-gun crowd that doesn't differentiate between handguns and long guns.

Handguns, weapons of choice for criminals because they're easily concealed, have been registered in Canada for more than 70 years. It has been largely ineffective, because people robbing banks aren't likely to use guns registered to themselves. Dropping them at the scene would be tantamount to leaving a business card. Instead, stolen or smuggled guns are usually used. Long guns are used primarily by farmers or hunters.

Farmers hate unnecessary intrusions -- and they vote. Martin understands votes and he knows what $1 billion means to the treasury.