North Peace Rod and Gun Club
PO Box 6435
Fort St John, BC
V1J 4H8
March 30, 2018
The Honorable Ralph Goodale, MP
Minister of Public Safety
House of Commons
Ottawa, K1A 0A6
Re: Concerns with implementation of Bill C-71 and recommended solution:
Allowing the RCMP to havefullcontrolovertheclassificationoffirearmsinCanada,withthe completeremovalofgovernmentoversight is unacceptable. All one has to do is remember the fiasco which took place in High River, Alberta to see that classification of firearms should be placed in more enlightened and trusted hands.
New legislation expandingthebackgroundcheckprocedurefromthefiveyearsprecedingtheapplicationforaPAL/Rtoanunknowntime in the past is an issue, as it does not set criteria for acceptance or rejection of an application, or the limitations of the check.Furthermore the legislation does not allow for an appeal process, if rejected.
The fact that the transfer of non-restrictedfirearms willrequirea transaction reference number issued by the Firearms Center, and that retailers will be required to keep point of sale records for 20 years is bureaucratic, costly, and unnecessary.In essence, it creates a back door registry.
Proposed changes limiting Long Term ATT’s to home and range use only, at he same time requiring Short Term ATT’s to transport to gunstores,gunsmiths,gunshows, or border crossings is unnecessary. Furthermore, it demonstrates a complete lack of trust in the firearm owning public and borders on harassment.
PermittingtheLong GunRegistrydata in its entiretyto beremandedtothe Province of Quebec, regardless of
which province you reside in, is unacceptable, and a breech of personal information. The once-destroyed registry
mustnot be resurrected.
In summary, the proposed provisions of Bill C-71 are misguided, bureaucratic, cost ineffective, and an insult to
the law-abiding firearmpublic, while doing little for public safety.
In closing, I urge you not to proceed with Bill C-71, but rather target taxpayer resources towards gang violence
and violent crime.
Sincerely,
North Peace Rod and Gun Club Member
cc: Bob Zimmer MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, K1A 0A6
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