Long Gun Registry: the Beginning of the End

October 26, 2011

Government tables Ending the Long Gun Registry Act

OTTAWA, ONT – Yesterday, The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, introduced the Ending the Long Gun Registry Act.  Bill C-19 demonstrates your Government’s continued commitment to keeping streets and communities safe by eliminating the ineffectiveness and wasteful spending on the registry. The Government will maintain effective gun control guidelines in order to keep firearms away from criminals.

The tabled legislation intends to:

• Withdraw the requirement to register non-restricted firearms (long-guns);
• Provide for the destruction of all records pertaining to the registration of long-guns currently contained in the Canadian Firearms Registry and under the control of the chief firearms officers; as well as
• Maintain controls over restricted and prohibited firearms.

Firearms owners are still required to have a valid firearm license to purchase or possess firearms and to purchase ammunition. They will also be required to undergo police background checks, pass a firearms safety training course and comply with firearms safe storage and transportation requirements. In addition, individuals will still be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns.

“I am proud to be a part of a Government that is delivering on a promise to repeal this ineffective and wasteful long-gun registry,” said Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod. “It is now time to focus on more effective ways to make our streets and communities safer.”