'Small Victory': Sask. reacts to liberal gun amendment removal
Saskatchewan is reacting to the removal of controversial amendment G4 to Bill C-21 by the federal Liberals, which banned certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
“It’s a small victory,” said Cache Tactical Supply Inc. owner Aaron Strauss.
The amendment introduced a new definition of an "assault-style" gun that included semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with a capacity of more than five cartridges.
Strauss said the ban would affect 30 to 40 per cent of his business.
“These are all rifles that are used legally and responsibly across Canada,” Strauss said.
His store set up a letter-writing station for those opposed to the bill, and over 800 letters have been sent to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU).
“The hunter, the sports shooter, they’re not causing the problem,” said Strauss.
However, a change of tune came from the federal Liberals Friday, who removed the amendment following huge uproar from guns rights activists, organizations, hunters and other law-abiding gun owners.
“Gun control started well over 100 years ago so it’s nothing really new,” said Gil White of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. “But it seams like they attacked hunters basically for the first time.”
Sask. Premier Scott Moe told CTV News in a statement he was, “pleased to hear the federal government has withdrawn their amendments to Bill C-21.”
Moe thanked everyone who voiced their concerns to Ottawa.
“Thank you for the work done by our Chief Firearms Officer in protecting the law-abiding firearm owners in Saskatchewan,” he said.
The province’s CFO Robert Freberg said Ottawa failed to consult with the provinces.
“We weren’t asked what could be done to help [reduce] the problem,” said Freberg. “We’re responding to legislation we feel targets the wrong individuals.”
“We acknowledge and regret the consultations we undertook were not sufficient,” said Federal Government House Leader and Liberal MP Mark Holland.
He added it is still the goal of the government to get assault-style guns of the streets.
“It is not our intention to impact those who are hunting and using firearms for hunting,” he said.
Freberg believes this is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to control illegal guns.
“We need funding,” he said. “Whether border services, municipal police or RCMP partners, these jobs require significant resources and strategies to keep up with demand and the increasing workload.”
White wanted to see continued education for both those who owned guns, and those who may never own a gun.
“We’re not the U.S.,” he said. “We have a lot of good laws in Canada and we do have good training. What we have now is better than a lot of countries.”
“I don’t think there needs to be any changes to the PAL and RPAL programs,” said Strauss, who said getting certified to own a gun can take up to a year. “Once the RCMP clears you as being safe through a background check, you can then get a license and I can sell you a firearm. It is not an easy process.”
Freberg believes more consultation in the future could lead to success.
“We want to be taking that message back to Ottawa and giving them a made in Saskatchewan solution that can be more productive,” he said.
The government said it plans to continually amend Bill C-21 to ensure it addresses gun violence in Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.