Conservative Government Keeps Commitment to Abolish the Long-Gun Registry

June 20, 2006

Ottawa, Ontario – Yesterday in the House of Commons, Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day introduced legislation that would end the registration requirements for long-guns. “Canada’s new government is keeping its promise to scrap the long-gun registry,” said Minister Day.

The proposed legislation will repeal the requirement to register non-restricted long-guns while also require firearms retailers to record all sales transactions of non-restricted firearms. Firearms owners who wish to acquire a firearm or ammunition must still complete thorough background and safety checks, meet specific safety training standards and comply with all safe storage requirements.

“We are focusing on effective measures of tackling crime that will protect families and communities,” said Chatham-Kent-Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren. ”Counting and tracking every long-gun in Canada has been ineffective, costly and has created endless amounts of paperwork for law-abiding taxpayers to complete.”

The previous government’s firearms program, which was expected to cost $2 million, ballooned to a net cost exceeding $1 billion. This does not include the estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in costs incurred from enforcing the program or compliance by Firearms owners and businesses.

“The fact remains that criminals do not register guns, and as a result the registry has not been effective in fighting gun crime,” said Van Kesteren.

“Being able to move time and money into front-line initiatives will prove to be a more effective approach.”