Changes previewed by Public Safety Minister Steve Blaney during July visit to shooting range
By Kady O’Malley, CBC News Posted: Oct 07, 2014 10:02 AM ET Last Updated: Oct 07, 2014 10:45 AM ET
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Attention law-abiding Canadian gun owners: The Conservative government wants to lighten your load, at least as far as firearms-related paperwork is concerned.
Long-awaited amendments to Canadian gun laws — including an extended amnesty for Swiss Arms rifles — were introduced in the House today by Public Safety Minister Steve Blaney.
Blaney telegraphed the proposed changes during a visit to a North Bay, Ont., shooting range in July, when he pledged to bring forward a “Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act” this fall.
“These measures would streamline licensing and eliminate needless red tape for law-abiding gun owners,” Blaney said in a written release at the time.
“It would also take steps to ensure that those convicted of domestic violence offences can be banned from owning firearms. My foremost priority is keeping the public safe, through common sense policies.”
Swiss Arms rifle amnesty to be extended until 2016
The proposed amendments will create a single permit for both possession and acquisition, institute a “grace period” for administrative and clerical errors, and prevent provincial firearms officers from making “arbitrary decisions.”
The bill would also require new gun owners to attend mandatory firearms safety courses and toughen up the existing restrictions on people convicted of domestic violence offences.
It will also extend the amnesty on Swiss Arms rifles until 2016.
Although the proposed legislation was tabled in the House this morning, MPs likely won’t start debating it until after the Thanksgiving recess.
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