News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Editor:

Crime is a serious issue for Canada that demands the full attention of citizens and legislators.  Canadians deserve to live in safe communities.

The federal government is working hard on behalf of families and businesses by introducing measures to tackle gang activity, handgun crime, and border security crime, in order to protect law-abiding Canadians and ensure safer communities for all of us.  Law-abiding firearm owners are not the problem when it comes to violent crime. 

The downfall of the long-gun registry is that it has had no impact on the criminals who commit crimes; instead, it gives a false sense of security to mostly urban Canadians.  When it comes to public safety, faith in a firearms registry is misguided when you consider gun homicides have risen 24% since 2002.

The Government of Canada is committed to reducing administrative requirements on law-abiding gun owners.  However, it is important to recognize that gun control measures in Canada will continue to include the requirement for gun owners to undergo a background check, pass a safety training course, and possess a valid firearms license before being able to acquire and possess firearms and to acquire ammunition.  These requirements will help maintain public safety for all Canadians.

The RCMP and other police associations have expressed that they do not want to see the registry die since they are able to use it to check for the presence of firearms when called to a home.  What has not been mentioned is that gun owners themselves will continue to be registered, which is likely a more valuable and less costly way of pinpointing potentially dangerous situations.  Only long-barrel weapons, not handguns or restricted weapons will be removed from the registry.  Gun owners will still have to pass rigorous safety tests and criminal record checks.

As Conservatives, we believe government that governs least governs best.

There is a legitimate role for government in many areas of society, including health, education, economic regulation, national security and maintaining the rule of law. But government must recognize that individual freedom is paramount in a healthy democratic society, and minimize its infringement on our freedom.

Ending the long-gun registry will save taxpayers billions and send a positive message to all Canadians about the proper role and responsibilities of government.  It will bolster Canadians' trust in, and respect for, government, which has been sorely tested by misguided policies like the gun registry.  For this and many other reasons we will keep the government out of the gun cabinets of the nation.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P.

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