The Harper government is moving scrap the long-gun registry.
Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews has introduced a bill in the House of Commons which will repeal the requirement to register rifles or shotguns.
It will also provide for the destruction of all records pertaining to the registration of long-guns currently contained in the Canadian Firearms Registry and under the control of the chief firearms officers.
However, the new legislation will maintain controls over restricted and prohibited firearms.
Bruce Grey Owen Sound Conservative MP Larry Miller says his government has been committed since 2006 to abolishing the ineffective and wasteful registry.
He is hopeful the bill will pass before Christmas.
Miller says it will be free vote, but it will pass given the government majority in the House of Commons.
Under the proposed reforms, firearms owners will still require a valid firearm licence to purchase or possess firearms and to purchase ammunition.
They will also be required to undergo police background checks, pass a firearms safety training course and comply with firearms safe storage and transportation requirements.
In addition, individuals will continue to be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns.
Huron Bruce Conservative MP Ben Lobb says the introduction of the legislation is consistent with the Governments efforts to ensure our firearms laws target real criminals and protect the safety of the public.
He says this bill targets criminals and not law-abiding hunters, farmers and sport shooters, and Miller claims this is welcome news to many of his constituents.
Many police services across the country have supported the registry because it makes it easier to track weapons used in crimes.
New Democrat justice critic Jack Harris says the Harper government is doing something our nation’s police chiefs say will ultimately cost lives.
The Coalition for Gun Control is urging Canadians to tell their MP’s to oppose the bill.
