scooter
03-05-2009, 09:49 AM
Editor,
The P.E.I. Wildlife Federation is encouraged and strongly supports the recently tabled legislation, Bill C-301, to make changes to the Firearms Act.
The P.E.I. Wildlife Federation has been concerned about the gun registry from the time it was first proposed. There was concern that it would not only be expensive, but would do nothing to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
Of particular concern was the registration of long guns, usually called rifles, which are used by hunters and rarely used in criminal activities. Pistols, which are more frequently used in criminal activities, were already carefully monitored and registered as restricted weapons under previous regulations.
The cost of the new program, which was initially estimated at $2 million has in fact ballooned to a cost of almost $2 billion. The gun registry program has even been criticized by the auditor general for cost overruns and inefficiencies.
The new act, proposed by Garry Breitkreutz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, will streamline the licensing system and eliminate the costly, ineffective and onerous regulations which have burdened hunters and for which all Canadians are paying.
Hunters contribute about $825 million to the economy of Canada, but the costly, time consuming and demanding registry has no doubt contributed to the decrease in the number of people who hunt.
The P.E.I. Wildlife Federation has carried out efforts to encourage our youth to learn how to hunt and fish as well as learn about our environment, but the old gun registry was certainly a hindrance to our efforts.
It is hoped that the Island MPs will support this new bill.
Bruce Smith President, P.E.I. Wildlife Federation Charlottetown
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PUBLICATION: The Journal-Pioneer (Summerside)
DATE: 2009.03.05
SECTION: Opinion
PAGE: A4
COLUMN: Letter to the Editor
WORD COUNT: 244
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The P.E.I. Wildlife Federation is encouraged and strongly supports the recently tabled legislation, Bill C-301, to make changes to the Firearms Act.
The P.E.I. Wildlife Federation has been concerned about the gun registry from the time it was first proposed. There was concern that it would not only be expensive, but would do nothing to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
Of particular concern was the registration of long guns, usually called rifles, which are used by hunters and rarely used in criminal activities. Pistols, which are more frequently used in criminal activities, were already carefully monitored and registered as restricted weapons under previous regulations.
The cost of the new program, which was initially estimated at $2 million has in fact ballooned to a cost of almost $2 billion. The gun registry program has even been criticized by the auditor general for cost overruns and inefficiencies.
The new act, proposed by Garry Breitkreutz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, will streamline the licensing system and eliminate the costly, ineffective and onerous regulations which have burdened hunters and for which all Canadians are paying.
Hunters contribute about $825 million to the economy of Canada, but the costly, time consuming and demanding registry has no doubt contributed to the decrease in the number of people who hunt.
The P.E.I. Wildlife Federation has carried out efforts to encourage our youth to learn how to hunt and fish as well as learn about our environment, but the old gun registry was certainly a hindrance to our efforts.
It is hoped that the Island MPs will support this new bill.
Bruce Smith President, P.E.I. Wildlife Federation Charlottetown
--------------------------------------------------
PUBLICATION: The Journal-Pioneer (Summerside)
DATE: 2009.03.05
SECTION: Opinion
PAGE: A4
COLUMN: Letter to the Editor
WORD COUNT: 244
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