M.P. Proposes end to gun registry

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OFAH FILE: 842

February 9, 2009

For immediate release

O.F.A.H. supports new firearms Bill

Private Members' Bill a major step forward

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) applauds the introduction of a new firearms bill by Garry Breitkreuz, M.P. Yorkton-Melville. The legislation proposes to eliminate the wasteful long gun registry and remove much of the onerous regulations associated with the act, while having no negative impact on public safety.

The bill proposes a number of changes to the Firearms Act, including: 1) Elimination of the costly, badly flawed and ineffective long gun registry; 2) Streamlining the licensing system; and 3) calling for a cost/benefit of the Firearms Program every five years to ensure that Canadian taxpayers are receiving benefit for money spent.

"We are strongly supportive of the legislation introduced earlier today by Garry Breitkreuz, who has worked tirelessly to help create a rational and cost effective firearms program that focuses the government’s efforts on the prevention of crime, not the over regulation of law abiding firearms owners", said O.F.A.H. Executive Director Mike Reader. "Mr. Breitkreuz and the Harper government should be applauded for their ongoing attempts to focus the firearms debate on the real problem, the acquisition and use of illegal firearms by criminals, not the responsible use of firearms by hunters and recreational sport shooters".

The Breitkreuz bill is the latest firearms bill introduced in Parliament that seeks to scrap the long gun registry, which has cost Canadian taxpayers almost $2 billion and been strongly criticized by the federal Auditor General for its many inefficiencies and cost overruns. Created by a former Liberal government, the long gun registry was supposed to cost $2 million and enhance public safety, neither of which was achieved.

"Over the last few years, public opinion polls have made it clear that a majority of Canadians believe that this badly flawed system needs to be eliminated. There have been countless examples of police chiefs, police associations and front line officers across the country who have condemned the registry, preferring instead to see the money wasted on the registry spent on more police on the street, better border security and an improved court system. The reality is that criminals, who use illegal firearms to commit crime and create havoc on the streets of our communities, don’t register firearms and aren’t impacted upon by this expensive white elephant", said Reader.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 655 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

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