Edmonton East Residents say “Scrap Long-Gun Registry”
March 01, 2011
Edmonton East residents agree that the long-gun registry introduced by the former Liberal government is wasteful, ineffective and should be scrapped.Our Conservative Government is committed to eliminating the registry which does nothing to make Canadians safer. We have focused on implementing strong, effective laws to combat gangs and individuals who use firearms unlawfully. The comprehensive Tackling Crime legislation that our Government passed in 2008 includes measures to impose mandatory jail time for serious gun crimes and enforce tougher bail rules when a gun is used to commit a crime.
The types of firearms such as long guns, typically used by hunters, farmers, and sportsmen, exist and circulate in larger numbers than handguns; however, since they are significantly less likely to be used during the commission of a crime, it is impractical and expensive to attempt to register them all.
I asked Edmonton East residents whether the long-gun registry should be scrapped: 79% said yes, 18% want to keep it and 3% have no opinion. So much for media claims that urban residents want to keep the Liberal-created registry that has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.
When the registry is scrapped, which will only happen under a Conservative majority government, firearm owners or those wishing to acquire a firearm or ammunition will still have to hold a valid firearms license and comply with all safe storage requirements. Registration of prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns, will continue to be in effect.
Police will continue to know if an individual is in possession of a firearm on their premises because anyone who is in possession of any type of firearm must be licensed, and that information will continue to appear on police information systems.
I think the long-gun registry is wasteful, ineffective and should be scrapped.
What do you think?