The federal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 proposed legislation that aims in part to prohibit hundreds of previously legal firearms may be called for a final vote as soon as this month, but NWT MP Michael McLeod says he is not yet satisfied with the bill in its current form.
McLeod, a member of the governing Liberal party, said he has long supported his partySA国际影视传媒檚 effort to toughen gun laws since being elected in 2015 and pointed out that he likes some provisions of the current draft of Bill C-21. Aspects he approves of include red and yellow flag laws that would allow court-order prohibitions, handgun freezes, attention to illegal smuggling and trafficking and stiffer maximum penalties for gun crimes.
However, he said definitions need to be clearer around what constitutes SA国际影视传媒渕ilitary-style assault weaponsSA国际影视传媒� and there needs to be a better understanding as to why there are some non-semi-automatic guns on the prohibition list.
He added that Public Safety Canada needs to better acknowledge common gun use in the North and should improve consultation with Northerners before a vote is held, particularly Indigenous people, as per Section 35 of the Constitution, the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples and specific self-governing agreements.
SA国际影视传媒淭here are aspects of (the bill) right now that are a bit blurry for me and a little bit concerning,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what is being suggested when it comes to changing the definition of assault weapons.
SA国际影视传媒淚 have spoken to the minister in charge, (Public Safety Minister) Marco Mendicino, and ISA国际影视传媒檝e indicated to him that he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have my full support until I really understand this and until ISA国际影视传媒檓 completely convinced (the bill) wonSA国际影视传媒檛 affect hunters, sport shooters and trappers in the North.
SA国际影视传媒淚 have also indicated that ISA国际影视传媒檓 not satisfied that his people have done a good enough job to consult.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒楬eated debateSA国际影视传媒�
McLeod admitted he has a personal interest in the issue as he has been a longtime collector of firearms, so he considers himself well versed in the need for specifics when placing prohibitions on guns.
SA国际影视传媒淭here are already some guns that are not semi-automatics that are on the list and we need to know why,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢ost of them are because they exceed the 10,000 joule (projectile limit) but we are trying to scrub the list to make sure that nothing gets on that list that people are using for hunting in the North.SA国际影视传媒�
Because of his experience and perspective, there can be SA国际影视传媒渉eatedSA国际影视传媒� debate within his own party, he said.
SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of times when we have discussions within caucus, ISA国际影视传媒檓 the one with the most guns and probably the one with the most knowledge about guns,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have a large part of the MPs in caucus thatSA国际影视传媒� see guns from a city/urban standpoint and look at it through that lens. But there are lots from the rural or remote and northern parts of the country that look at guns and view it in a different light.
SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 see it as a weapon but we see it as a tool.SA国际影视传媒�
Raquel Dancho, Conservative MP and vice-chair of the House of Commons public safety and national security committee that has been examining the bill, said her party has been opposed to the bill from the beginning. However, her opposition became stronger in recent weeks as the government attempted during clause-by-clause reading in committee to add non-restricted hunting rifles among those proposed to be prohibited and to redefine a SA国际影视传媒榤ilitary assault rifleSA国际影视传媒� with any semi-automatic gun with the capacity to carry a magazine.
She has called the move SA国际影视传媒渢he largest assault on hunters in CanadaSA国际影视传媒� and has charged that the federal government is going after SA国际影视传媒淕randpa JoeSA国际影视传媒檚 hunting rifle instead of gangsters in Toronto.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭he problem with that of course is that (the proposed bill) encapsulates hundreds and hundreds of models of common firearms and shotguns used for duck hunting or farming,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
SA国际影视传媒淭rudeau has been consistent in saying that he will never come for hunters and now they are.
SA国际影视传媒淚f this legislation stands, it leaves a backdoor open that any listed hunting rifle can be banned with the stroke of a pen.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒楬ammeredSA国际影视传媒� with emails
Dancho said that having a voice from provincial or territorial leadership against the legislation SA国际影视传媒� as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta have done SA国际影视传媒� could make a difference in presenting a stance against the bill.
SA国际影视传媒淚 would also empower every voter who would like to see hunting remain in Canada to reach out to the Liberal MP ASAP,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淢Ps are currently getting hammered with thousands of emails on this.SA国际影视传媒�
For his part, McLeod said he has received both support and opposition to the bill and that he situates himself somewhere in the middle.
Scott Cairns, past president of the Yellowknife Shooting Club, said heSA国际影视传媒檚 concerned that the bill amendments will likely lead to many club members owning prohibited guns due to the popular use of non-restricted, semi-automatic guns. Often these firearms are beneficial to hunters wanting to get shots off quickly when ducks or geese come into sight or when trying to quickly take down larger game like deer or caribou.
SA国际影视传媒淏ecause of the type of gun, the semi-automatic and the fact that they are extra popular among users makes this a very sweeping prohibition,SA国际影视传媒� he explained.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat the federal government is now saying with this law is that they are taking firearms that were bought over the counter for normal use and by the stroke of a pen saying that you are not allowed to sell, use or trade away. It is not acceptable to me and should not be acceptable to anyone.SA国际影视传媒�
Possession acquisition licence
Cairns said that legal firearm owners already go through a rigorous and invasive procedure to be able to possess in the first place, which is among the opposition by gun owners regarding the proposed bill.
To legally own a gun in the Northwest Territories, one must seek out a Possession acquisition licence (PAL) by first paying a $300 fee and then taking a Canada Firearm Safety course led by a credible instructor.
Once passing the course, one must fill out a five-page application form to send to the .
Before a permit can be issued, the thoroughly researches an applicantSA国际影视传媒檚 history, which can include marital and mental health history and criminal record backgrounds.
After contact with references, a non-restricted firearm licence may then be issued.
GNWT Department of Justice spokesperson Ngan Trinh said this week that the territorial government is reviewing recent amendments to the bill but admitted that questions remain surrounding the proposed legislation, including on how proposed buyback program would work.
SA国际影视传媒淐ommunity safety and crime reduction is a shared responsibility with the federal government and we will work with our partners including Public Safety Canada and the to assess any implications from the ban,SA国际影视传媒� Trinh said.
Messages for this story were left with Justice Minister R.J. Simpson and cabinet as well as the Northwest Territories on Dec. 1. They did not respond by press deadline.
SA国际影视传媒擝y Simon Whitehouse, Northern News Services
