UN-markings regulations delayed until December 2018
May 19, 2017
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Canada’s National Firearms Association (NFA) has been informed that the Government of Canada has delayed their intent to bring in new United Nations-driven regulations for importing and exporting firearms from June 1, 2017 to December of 2018. A previous Liberal government in 2004 agreed to a United Nations Protocol to bring in new firearm marking regulations, but they and successive governments never implemented them.
“This is a significant victory.” Said Sheldon Clare, president of the NFA. “Firearm owners and users, as well as firearm-related businesses, have been pressing the government to not go through with their plan to bring in these unnecessary regulations. So, putting this off again is a positive development, but we will continue to push them to abandon this entire scheme.”
The UN-marking regulations would change importing and exporting rules by doing exactly as it sounds – requiring that every firearm, ammunition, part, or accessory be marked with country of origin and date of manufacturing, and potentially more information not yet divulged. These unnecessary regulations would ultimately lead to a significant increase in costs for firearms owners and users, and could seriously damage the hunting and recreational firearms industries in Canada.
The NFA has advocated for many years at the United Nations that these marking regulations serve no useful purpose and will serve only to increase costs and create problems for importers and exporters.
“We made clear to the United Nations, and to the Canadian delegation in attendance, that these regulations would be harmful to Canadians,” added Mr. Clare. “These regulations are unnecessary and unreasonable and we were incredibly disappointed that our government appeared to be going ahead with them. However, this delay gives us hope that they’ve come to their senses and are willing to listen to us.”
Canada’s NFA has special consultative status at the United Nations, the only firearms rights advocacy organization in Canada to do so, and therefore is recognized by the United Nations to speak on behalf of firearms owners and users.
Canada’s National Firearms Association is this country’s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users.
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For more information contact:
Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications, 604-753-8682 Blair@nfa.ca
Sheldon Clare, President, 250-981-1841 Sheldon@nfa.ca
Canada’s NFA toll-free number – 1-877-818-0393
NFA Website: www.nfa.ca
