TheGunBlog.ca — The Ontario government will name a new Chief Firearms Officer as Dwight Peer, the current chief provincial regulator, leaves the post following a promotion.

Peer, a career officer with the Ontario Provincial Police, was promoted to Chief Superintendent from Superintendent effective Jan. 6, a spokeswoman for the Orillia, Ontario-based OPP told TheGunBlog.ca by phone today in response to our questions.

Critical Appointment

Choosing a successor will be a critical appointment for the government of Premier Doug Ford and the more than 620,000 Ontario residents with federal firearm licences.

Ford is among politicians, police leaders and potentially millions of Canadians who oppose the mass gun confiscations sought by the federal Liberal prime minister.

2 Years as CFO

The OPP spokeswoman didn’t have details on the timing or process to replace Peer as CFO.

Peer had worked in the chief role since being appointed in October 2017 by the governing Ontario Liberal Party at the time. He oversaw a staff of about 60 people.

Ontario Snapshot

• PAL Holders: About 620,000 in July (28% of Canadian total)
• Firearm/Ammunition businesses: 1,100
• Shooting Ranges & Clubs: 275

Ontario Chief Firearms Officer Dwight Peer to leave role effective Monday 06 January 2020 following promotion, Ontario Provincial Police tells https://t.co/GQ6JM19X98.

– OPP runs CFO office
– Peer, a career OPP officer, is promoted to Chief Superintendent from Superintendent

— TheGunBlog (@TheGunBlog) December 31, 2019

About the CFO System

What’s a CFO?

• Every province and territory has a Chief Firearms Officer who oversees the office that administers the federal Canadian Firearms Program under the federal Firearms Act of 1995 and related regulations.

CFO Duties

John Robert Ervin, the Chief Firearms Officer for Saskatchewan, outlined his main duties to a Senate committee in June 2012:

• Issuing and revoking firearm licences
• Approving firearm purchases and sales
• Issuing Authorizations To Transport firearms
• Issuing Authorizations To Carry firearms
• Approving shooting clubs and ranges
• Administering the Canadian Firearms Safety Course
• Approving and inspecting gun shops and other businesses

Opt-In Vs. Opt-Out

• Opt-In: Ontario is one of five provinces and territories that have opted into appointing a provincial official to run the federal firearm program.
• Opt-Out: The eight remaining so-called “opt-out” provinces have federal employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as their CFO.

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Related

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• Ontario CFO Comments on AR-15 Buying Surge, Gun Licensing
• Alberta to Study Naming Its Own Chief Firearms Officer: Kenney