By Sheldon Clare
We most certainly live in interesting times. C-391, MP Candice Hoeppner’s private members’ bill to end the registration of non-restricted firearms will head to third reading and hopefully Senate approval this fall. Its passage is not a sure thing – the usual suspects oppose ending the failed registration system, so it is important for you to contact your MP, regardless of party affiliation, to indicate your support for the bill and to encourage them to support it as well.
It is true that C-391 does not go far enough in resolving our issue with the flawed and ridiculously expensive Firearms Act – laws enacted by successive Progressive Conservative and Liberal governments. Its passage would be a good first step towards reclaiming some of the rights constrained in decades of offensive firearms control law. Let me write that again – a first step – most assuredly not the last or only one.
Many issues remain that need to be dealt with in order to get us on an even keel. Being able to fully enjoy, use, buy, and sell all firearms regardless of status would be nice. Ending the need for unfair status designations such as grandfathering would be great, as would clear access to the right for lawful people to carry for self defence as needed would certainly help keep crime rates down. Magazine capacity restrictions are also an unnecessary limitation that should disappear.
There will likely be a federal election coming up soon and we will need to be involved – please join the local riding association of a federal political party and help to select candidates who will support firearms owners. As well, please make sure that those candidates who have supported us in the past know that you are there to support them and why. If you can’t afford the time, then send them some money, and if you can’t afford the money try to provide a little work and time – even putting up signs helps a lot.
It is time to rebuild the relationship between the law-abiding firearms firearm user and her government as the current relationship is now based upon fear and lack of trust. It is a relationship that cannot be permitted to continue. Presently, the NFA is supporting cases either through advice and information or both to clarify rules on importing magazine parts, and to prevent arbitrary reclassification of firearms by the RCMP, as well as on many other matters which hopefully not get to court through amicable resolution. Court cases are a major drain on expenses and we always welcome your donations to support our actions to help change and clarify the laws in our courts. If you can spare some funds this year please send a donation to our Edmonton office – and yes, every little bit helps.
Canada’s National Firearms Association is undergoing a rebranding process. In a few months we will have a new official coat of arms to replace the old version. We will be taking more steps to promote and grow the organization and we are seeking your assistance in signing up new members. If you sign up even one member, you will be making us an even more effective advocacy group, and in this situation the more numbers we have will mean more resources and a bigger voice to use them. There will be more content translated into French, both on our website and in the magazine. We have been faced with increased demand for French materials and a need for an increased presence to fight the ground zero of gun control in Canada in Quebec. Quebecers own more firearms per capita than almost any other province, thus we need to provide resources to help those shooters fight the oppressive firearms control regime in that province. While it is true that firearms owners in every province feel that their situation is the worst, it is true that Quebec and Ontario both face special hardships due to their unfriendly political situation and some strong lobbying by anti-firearm interests.
I would also take this opportunity to thank the previous executive for their hard work on behalf of all of us and the new executive for stepping up to the plate to continue fighting on behalf of all of us.
– Sheldon