Government May Initiate Gun-Ban Law Next Year, Globe Reports

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TheGunBlog.ca — The Canadian government may propose a new law to seize guns from federally licensed hunters and sport shooters early next year after finishing consultations this year, the Globe and Mail reported, citing Bill Blair, the minister preparing the bans.

What the Globe Said

The Globe and Mail report yesterday evening quoted Blair’s testimony to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU), as well as comments to reporters. The paper said:

Mr. Blair said he wants the consultations to be completed by the end of the year, which means that any legislation to ban handguns could only be introduced next year. The issue could be a hot topic in next year’s fall election campaign, given the House of Commons would only have a few months to debate a ban before rising next June.

Background

The prime minister directed Blair last month to examine a “full ban on handguns and assault weapons in Canada, while not impeding the lawful use of firearms by Canadians.”

New prohibitions could include more than 2 million pistols, revolvers and semi-automatic rifles and shotguns owned by men and women with a federal firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), based on estimates by TheGunBlog.ca.

Read: Handgun, Semi-Auto Ban Could Wipe Out $2 Billion From Gun Owners

Blair Blames PAL Holders

Blair, as quoted by the Globe, blamed PAL holders for illegally supplying firearms to criminal gangs. PAL holders are the only private individuals allowed to own guns and are the closest social segment to being crimeless.

“There is a diversion from the domestic market that needs to be addressed,” the Globe quoted Blair as telling reporters yesterday. “We have got to look responsibly at both [streams] and take all the measures that can be effective in reducing the movement of guns from both the United States and the domestic market into the hands of criminals.”

What the Globe Said About Consultations

The Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that he will hold roundtables with experts around the country, seek input from the public through an online portal and get data from other jurisdictions before determining the best way to deal with handguns in Canada.

What You Can Do

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  • Take someone new shooting. Offer to pay for their RPAL if they apply by Christmas.

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