Dear members, please continue watching this page and our Facebook feed for more current information and action items to express your concerns about the May 1st firearms order in council than we can provide by email. Here are some developments you should keep on top of.
Second official e-petition: e-2576
A second official e-petition has been launched and is available for your signature. e-2576, sponsored by Todd Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George), asks for a repeal of the Order in Council and states the following:
Read and sign E-2576
- According to Regulation 117.5(2), an Order in Council may not be used: “In making regulations, the Governor in Council may not prescribe any thing to be a prohibited firearm, a restricted firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or prohibited ammunition if, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, the thing to be prescribed is reasonable for use in Canada for hunting or sporting purposes”;
- It is the opinion of the Governor in Council that these firearms included in the Order are unsuitable for hunting or sporting purposes;
- Justice Minister David Lametti stated: “There will be an exception for Indigenous peoples exercising a section 35 hunting right, as well as those who use the weapon for hunting to feed themselves or their family”;
- An exemption shows that these firearms are clearly suitable; and
- Multiple premiers have stated that this ban will not be effective in preventing crime and money would be better allocated towards targeting criminals.
The first e-petition is still open here if you have not already signed it.
Read and sign E-2574Court challenges
The Coalition for Canadian Firearms Rights (CCFR) has launched a court challenge to the Order in Council.
There are indications there will be another court challenge from other organizations.
Note: the club does not endorse any particular national firearms organization.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair responds to 20mm bore restriction affecting 12g and 10g shotgun confusion
Through his Twitter feed, Minister Blair said that the May 1st Order in Council is not meant to target shotguns. However lawyers for a couple national firearms organizations say the regulation as written puts owners in legal jeopardy. As the Order in Council had immediate force in law as of May 1st any police officer and court is bound to enforce it. The club cannot advise you on how you should act except that we share with you our dismay at the new regulation and many of us who have shotguns are still in a state of confusion.
Update May 9: The RCMP have posted an advisory on 12g and 10g: Important notice: Update on 10 and 12 gauge shotgun classification under the new prohibition
With respect to 10ga and 12ga shotguns, the CFP recognizes the SAAMI standard specifications which establish that the nominal (i.e. standard) bore diameter measurements for 10ga and 12ga shotguns are below the 20mm threshold (19.69mm for 10ga, 18.42mm for 12ga).
We suggest printing the RCMP page up and keeping with your regular paperwork when transporting.
Contact your MPs, the Prime Minister and the Public Safety Minister
As the Order in Council is in force currently, it is your right to contact your MPs and express your concerns. Here is a page linking to all of the MPs in our immediate area and their contact information.
Contact your MP, the PM and Public Safety Minister