Federation of Saskatchewan Rural Municipalities (SARM) says it is opposing Bill C-21 And its amendments aim to keep firearms off the streets.
The amendments to the bill are meant to ensure that gun manufacturers cannot change the design of banned firearms to make them available again in Canada.
In a release Wednesday, SARM said it would happen overnight without warning and would penalize and criminalize about 75,000 legal firearm owners in Saskatchewan. It is estimated that there are approximately 115,000 licensed firearm owners in the province of Saskatchewan.
“Instead of going after criminals, they’re going after people who are law-abiding,” said SARM President Ray Orb, “and that’s a big problem for us and a big concern for us, as well.” as well as the province.
Orb said there has been little consultation with legal gun owners about the bill.
“The federal government plans to spend billions of dollars to decriminalize and take firearms away from law-abiding, legally licensed Saskatchewan residents,” SARM said in the release. “These dollars could be used by municipalities in this province and across Canada to fight rising rural crime rates, violent crime, gangs, trafficking and illegal firearms.”
Orb suggested that the money be put into the struggling RCMP system or border security to work more directly on targeting criminals who obtain guns illegally.
Liberals, Tories spar over scope of proposed assault-style firearms definition
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Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba have joined forces to oppose the amendment to Bill C-21.
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Christine Tell said, “Rifles and shotguns that law-abiding Saskatchewan farmers, hunters and sport shooters use will soon be confiscated by the Trudeau – NDP government.” “These men and women will be made criminals overnight. Saskatchewan will not stand by silently while the federal government again attacks law-abiding citizens instead of focusing on crime.
Calvin Goertgen, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, expressed similar concerns.
“Manitoba continues to have significant concerns about proposed measures that would penalize law-abiding firearms owners while doing little to address illegal imports of firearms from the United States,” Goertgen said.
“The federal government should focus its attention and resources on those who commit crimes with illegally imported firearms and guns, rather than measures that target law-abiding citizens. Government of Manitoba in opposition to federal Liberal government’s confiscation plans Is united with Saskatchewan and Alberta.
In response to the Prairie Provinces, the Liberal government said it had no intention of targeting farmers and hunters.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said, “The government has no intention – no intention – to go after long guns and rifles.” “And that’s just the stereotypical horrors.
“I said I am always open to working with all members of the committee on the House to make sure we get this right. But we will not compromise on banning assault-style firearms like the AR-15. Will do because they have no place in our communities.
At a committee meeting on Thursday, Liberal MP Pam Demoff said the definition of banned firearms would remain the same as the types banned in 2020, providing a “clear definition of the specifications of these guns designed for combat”.
“I just want to be clear that we are not going after poachers,” Damoff said. “We want to remove weapons designed for the battlefield from our society.”
“It’s kind of troubling that the ban had to come along,” said Regina resident Jay Rimke, “but some people aren’t safe without it.”
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