CANADIAN SHOOTING SPORTS ASSOCIATION / CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
TEAM CSSA SPECIAL REPORT – October 7, 2014
Several years of hard work have come to fruition. We at the CSSA would like to thank our members for their support and participation in the challenge of the arbitrary ATT provisions imposed by the Ontario CFO under section 58(1.) While there are many MPs that helped us move forward on the issues contained in this bill, we would especially like to thank MP’s Garry Breitkreuz and Cheryl Gallant for their unending toil in assisting us in bringing the ATT and Section 58(1) issues to the attention of Parliament. Lastly, we would like to thank Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney for listening to the concerns of hundreds of thousands of Canadians and making these changes happen. “Thank you Minister, it has been a pleasure to work with you and your staff.”
While we recognize there are still many severe problems inherent in the Firearms Act that have yet to be resolved, this bill represents another significant step in the right direction.
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Harper Government announces common sense firearms measures for law-abiding firearms owners
October 7, 2014 – Ottawa – Public Safety Canada
Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, introduced the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act. This Bill meets the Government’s objective to cut red tape for law-abiding firearms owners and provide safe and simple firearms policies.
Changes to the Criminal Code and the classification regime would enable the Government to take steps to ensure the rights of lawful firearms owners are respected.
Quick Facts
The amendments to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code would:
- Create a six-month grace period at the end of the five-year licence period to stop people from immediately becoming criminalized for paperwork delays around license renewals;
- Streamline the licensing system by eliminating the Possession Only Licence (POL) and converting all existing POLs to Possession and Acquisition Licences (PALs);
- Make classroom participation in firearms safety training mandatory for first-time licence applicants;
- Amend the Criminal Code to strengthen the provisions relating to orders prohibiting the possession of firearms where a person is convicted of an offence involving domestic violence;
- End needless paperwork around Authorizations to Transport by making them a condition of a licence for certain routine and lawful activities;
- Provide for the discretionary authority of Chief Firearms Officers to be subject to limit by regulation;
- Authorize firearms import information sharing when restricted and prohibited firearms are imported into Canada by businesses; and,
- Allow the Government to have the final say on classification decisions, following the receipt of independent expert advice.
“Today, our Government followed through on its commitment to introduce legislation that enshrines simple and safe firearms policies. The Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act is further proof that our Government will always stand by law-abiding firearms owners and hunters.”
– Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
“We are pleased that Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney is moving towards fairer firearms laws. Cutting red tape for sport shooters and hunters does not compromise public safety one iota.”
– Canadian Shooting Sports Association
“The changes proposed by the Harper Government strike a balance between the need to remove administrative burdens on legal, law-abiding firearms owners in Canada, and government’s intention to protect and enhance public safety. In our opinion, they have succeeded on both counts.”
– Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
“The Harper Government continues to address the inadequacies in the existing firearms legislation that only serve to punish the law-abiding firearms community. This initiative will smooth out some of the bumps and make it easier for Canadians without compromising public safety.”
– Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
“Thank you for your proposed Commons Sense Firearms Licensing Act. We see it as being very reasonable and would endorse what is suggested so far.”
– New Brunswick Wildlife Federation
“The Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs [Quebec hunting and fishing federation] is thrilled with this initiative. Quebec hunters are very pleased with this bill because it simplifies the licence issuing process for law-abiding users, while reinforcing the concepts of safety and education.”
– Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs
“We support smart, cost effective firearms policy that keeps Canadians safe, but treats gun owners fairly. We applaud the Harper Government’s ongoing efforts to streamline firearms licensing in Canada to make it more effective and efficient.”
– Manitoba Wildlife Federation
“The Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters would like to thank the Harper Government and in particular the Hon. Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, who has today started a process for restoring sensibility to Canadian firearms laws. The proposed legislation has the ability to improve the shooting opportunities for both hunters and target shooters. It will also allow thousands of gun owners to purchase new firearms and that will have a positive impact on the economy of rural Canada.”
– Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
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THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
The CSSA is the voice of the sport shooter and firearms enthusiast in Canada. Our national membership supports and promotes Canada’s firearms heritage, traditional target shooting competition, modern action shooting sports, hunting, and archery. We support and sponsor competitions and youth programs that promote these Canadian heritage activities.
To join or donate to the CSSA, visit: https://cssa-cila.org/membership/
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CANADIAN SHOOTING SPORTS ASSOCIATION / CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
116 Galaxy Blvd, Etobicoke, ON, M9W 4Y6
Phone 416-679-9959, Fax: 416-679-9910
Toll Free: 1-888-873-4339
E-Mail: info@cssa-cila.org
Website: https://cssa-cila.org
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