RCMP issues warning to unregistered gun owners
OTTAWA - The RCMP says if the government allows an amnesty on rifle and shotgun ownership to expire, police will have no choice but to fine or jail unregistered long-gun owners.
The reprieve ends May 16.
"We follow the rule of law," said Sgt. Derek Strong. "If there's an amnesty, we follow that. With the lack of an amnesty, it's business as usual."
A summary conviction for a first-time offender who fails to register and license a long-gun ranges from a fine of up to $2,000 to six months in prison.
All firearms in Canada must be licensed and registered under one of two classifications:
* A possession-only licence for gun owners who already own a weapon with no intention to acquire additional guns;
* or a possession and acquisition licence, which allows gun owners to purchase additional firearms.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced two years ago that government would waive application fees for licences until 2008 and provide amnesty for one year to owners of unregistered long-guns, which was renewed again last April.
The Tories served notice in March that they intend to continue providing amnesty to long-gun owners whose rifles and shotguns aren't registered. But the renewal hinges on a review of the amnesty program.
RCMP and Canadian firearm officers - the officials responsible for gun licences in the provinces - are conducting the review.
An official with the Department of Public Safety said Wednesday the program is under review and no decision has been made.
Beausejour Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc said the Liberals made mistakes when the firearms registry was introduced in 1995, at a cost of more than $1 billion.
"It was far from glorious in terms of cost and confusion about deadlines," said LeBlanc, who doubles as the party's justice critic.
He said his party still maintains strict gun control, including registration of all firearms, is essential to public safety.
"Sometimes those of us in rural communities have to acknowledge that gun control and gun crime is a big issue in a few larger urban centres," said LeBlanc.
He said the Conservatives' plan to extend the long-gun amnesty does little to foster debate about how the legislation can be improved.
The Conservatives have made no secret of their desire to scrap firearms legislation with the introduction of new legislation aimed at retooling existing gun laws.
"But it's unfortunate that the government doesn't have the courage to bring these changes before Parliament in a vote because they know they would lose," said LeBlanc.
"So they take the rather extraordinary measure of instructing the police not to enforce the law. It's a bizarre way to make criminal law."
Final approval on the extension of the amnesty is pending and a decision is expected within weeks.
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