Long-gun registry shot down
TONY CLEMENT..
CLEMENT
MUSKOKA - Barring a veto by the Senate, the abolition of the long-gun registry is a done deal.
Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act passed its third and final reading in the House on Wednesday night, with a 159-130 vote, and is now sitting with the Senate.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement voted in favour of abolishing the controversial registry along with rest of the Conservative majority and two New Democratic Party members.
All other NDP, Liberal, Bloc Québécois and Green MPs voted against the act.
“This is a moment that I and many Parry Sounders and Muskokans have long waited to see,” said Clement. “After doing nothing to reduce crime, wasting taxpayer’s dollars, and unfairly targeting law-abiding citizens, the registry is now headed for the scrap heap.”
Beth Ward, executive director for YWCA of Muskoka, said her organization is strongly opposed to the abolition of the long-gun registry.
“We were passionately supportive of the gun registry because of our profound knowledge of the dangers and risks that rifles and shotguns pose to women who experience intimate partner violence,” she said. “We are opposed to dismantling the long-gun registry as a safety issue for women and children.”
Ward said her organization whole-heartedly agreed with comments made by William Blair, president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, in which he stated that Canadians should not be diverted from the issue, which is one of safety.
Blair said the registry made the country safer and has saved lives. Losing the registry, he said, is at the peril of those who live here.
Ward noted the YWCA made a public statement to the House of Commons standing committee in November that the registry embodied core Canadian values of good governance and peace.
“We are not a nation founded on the right to bear arms, but we are a nation founded on the precepts of peace, order and good governance,” she said.
Women are incredibly vulnerable, said Ward.
Regarding gun violence against women, she noted that between 1995 and 2008, about 72 per cent of female victims of spousal homicide with firearms were killed either with rifles or shotguns. That was an average of 13 victims per year.
While organizations such as the YWCA will continue to support women, she said the community must now be more vigilant since the registry will no longer be available.
Among those in the gallery to witness the final passage of the legislation through the House of Commons was Jim Newman of Sundridge, who attended as a guest of Clement. Newman, the CEO of the Canadian Firearms Institute, travelled from his Almaguin Highlands home to see the vote first-hand, and attend a post-vote reception with MP Clement.
“Jim represents so many people in Parry Sound-Muskoka who have wanted this registry to become history,” said Clement. “Now we can focus on measures that actually tackle crime and make our communities safe, and continue to uphold our commitment to effective gun control measures that keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.”
The legislation will repeal 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; and maintain controls over restricted and prohibited firearms, according to a press release issued by Clement’s office.
The release also stated that under the reforms, firearm owners will still require a valid firearm licence 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 safe firearm storage and transportation requirements.
In addition, individuals will continue to be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns.