Canada’s National Firearms Association Media Release
For Immediate Release 23 August 2010
Canada’s National Firearms Association urges Canadians and their MPs to support Candice Hoeppner’s private member’s bill to end the firearms registry. Speaking from Prince George, BC, NFA President Sheldon Clare pointed out that of many problems with the Firearms Act registration of firearms is not only one of the most offensive to firearms owners, but also one of the features that does the least to prevent criminal activity. “It’s a colossal waste of resources to force Canadian firearm owners to have a piece of paper beside their rifles and shotguns,” said Clare. “The firearms registry has not come close to registering all of the firearms in Canada. By the government’s own import and export figures and combined with reasonable attrition, there are at least twice as many firearms in Canada as recorded in the firearms registry – most of which are in the hands of firearms owners who are either ignorant of the requirements to register or who have conscientiously chosen to resist having their personal property recorded in a government data base.”
Clare pointed out that “While the tremendous financial cost of the firearms registry is certainly of concern, there is also a greater social cost which needs to be considered,” Clare continued, “The Firearms Act, of which the registry is but one part, has sent a message to Canadians that their government does not trust them, and in turn has caused resentment and a lack of trust from Canadians towards their government and their police. Canadians who own firearms are statistically the least likely members of the general population to be involved in criminal activity. Firearms owners are traditionally people who are the cornerstone of our nation, believe in the rule of law, and the rights and freedoms of society. What the registry has done is alienated this large group of Canadians without providing any benefit whatsoever to the greater good, or to public safety. The firearms registry, like many other aspects of the Firearms Act, has driven a wedge in Canadian society, damage that will be hard to repair.”
“Ending the firearms registry is a small but necessary step towards rebuilding the trust of Canadians in their government,” Clare concluded.
For more information contact:
Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications
Tel: 604-753-8682
Email: blair@nfa.ca
Sheldon Clare, President
Tel: 250-981-1841
Email: sheldon@nfa.ca
Canada’s NFA toll-free number: 1-877-818-0393